On Saturday, BJP led NDA government at centre will complete its 4 years tenure in office. To mark the occasion BJP will launch a fortnight-long programme to mark the fourth anniversary of the Modi government, with its president Amit Shah leading an exercise to reach out to 100,000 personalities from different walks of life to highlight its achievements.
Whereas, to oppose the BJP on its big day and register their dissatisfaction with governments performance, Congress will observe the day as ‘Viswasghat divas’ (Betrayal Bay).
While several critics have raised concerns over the Freedom of Speech and rights issues, none have disputed the clean image of the government. The lack of controversies surrounding corruption has allowed the government to mark some major achievements over the years.
Below is an assessment of the government’s top achievements and work-in progress Achievements
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill: Taking problem of NPAs and bad loans seriously, Modi government legislated IBC Bill in 2016. The Bill is proving to be a game changer. Total bank NPAs are around Rs 9 lakh crore. Resent accusation of debt-laden Bhushan Steels by Tata Steel has come as a major success effect of the Bill. Many big names from the business world has shown interest in buying bankrupt companies with large NPAs. This reform will surely restore Indian banks to good health.
Rural Electrification: Modi government has worked quickest on hundred present electrification project in India’s history. They made electricity available in the every village for which India also received acclamation from World Bank.
Highway Construction: The pace of road building has been another shining star in BJP government’s success list. Under the UPA regime, around 17km of roads were built per day. Currently, over 40 km of roads are being constructed daily.
The National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS): Opposition objected this scheme as a hollow scheme just to attract voters but it is one of the boldest initiative taken by Modi government. It will provide medical insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to 500 million low-income Indians. The scheme is budgeted to cost around Rs 10,000 crore annually (though critics say the cost could exceed Rs 80,000 crore). Set to roll out on October 2, 2018, it is a long overdue step towards providing universal medical care.
GST: Whether formulation and Implementation of GST was a good move or not can’t be decide now. But it was a historical and much needed reform. Congress could not do this in seventy years but this government did it even though they received negative reviews and criticism for keeping highest tax slabs in the world and the way GST was implemented.
The other key achievement during the NDA government’s first four years in office is Mudra Yojana, under which loans are given to small entrepreneurs with little or no collateral. Other standout successes have been the Jan Dhan Yojana, which has created over 312 million new bank accounts, the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme, which has significantly cut pilferage, and subsidised LPG cylinders for the poor. Beyond these is the absence of corruption in the higher echelons of the government.
Work needs to be done
Aadhaar, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Ganga clean-up are three critical missions. Each has suffered a setback, but is back on track. Railway modernisation too is gathering pace. Several other initiatives remain to be activated: an enhanced MSP for farmers, rural housing, job creation, social inclusiveness, and law and order.
