After an absolute majority, BJP government came into power in 2014 and promised a plethora of schemes and developments to make India a stronger nation. From changes in economic policies and ‘Ease of Doing Business’, to surgical strike across Line of Control in Kashmir, BJP has shown that it dares to have ‘Vision’ and temerity to implement that vision for the betterment of the nation. Let’s take a look at their three year report card –
1. Make In India
This Endeavour, aimed to create more jobs in India by 2019 and to promote Indian made products, is one of the biggest promoted agenda by the government. This campaign allowed foreign companies to manufacture their products in India, surpassing US and China for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in 2015. In Financial year 2016-17, India had received $60 Billion FDI and thereby rose 42 places on “Ease of doing business index”. Except for Defense, Space and News Media, 100% FDI was permitted in all 25 sectors of economy.
2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Campaign)
Launched on 2nd October 2014, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan aims to make India Clean by 2nd October 2019. It turned into a National Movement when Prime Minister Modi invited 9 people to start the drive and tag the next nine people to carry forward the movement. Not just cleaning the roads and houses and maintaining a hygienic environment, it also aims at improving sanitation for millions of Indians and build toilets in their homes.
3. Jan Dhan Yojna
PradhanMantri Jan Dhan Yojna aims to provide basic banking accounts, banking facilities to every citizen of India and providing them with a debit card and inbuilt insurance. Bank Accounts opened under Jan Dhan Yojna are “Zero Balance” accounts, but if a cheque book is needed by the account holder, then minimum balance has to be maintained. By End of January 2015, banks had already opened 12.54 Crore accounts against a target of 7.5 Crore accounts, with 60% of these in rural areas. Under this scheme, financial literacy is also provided upto village level for better understanding of the banking process.
4. Campaign for Building Toilets
World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that at least half of India’s population defecates in the open. One of the targets of Swacch Bharat Campaign was to make India “Open Defecation Free” by Oct 2nd 2019. This is to be achieved by constructing toilets in every home, both for hygiene and safety issues, and to construct communal toilets for travelers, homeless and other people. Till Date, more than 46 Lakh Individual toilets and 3 Lakh community and public toilets have been constructed under the scheme. Not only construction, this Human waste has been put to use by producing more than 80 Megawatt of energy.
5. Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Goods and Services Tax Law is a value added Tax levied on the supply of goods and services for the entire country, and it replaced many indirect tax laws that existed prior to its launch in March 2017. It came into effect in July 2017, and directly impacted the cost of goods. GST rates are determined by GST council and are aimed to reduce the tax burden on the common man.
6. Demonetization
Announced on 8th November 2016, the Indian Government declared the demonetization of all Rs 500 and Rs 1000 banknotes, leaving the country scrambling to deposit these notes in their Bank accounts and reeling with the after effects of demonetization. Demonetization was aimed to reduce the Black Money menace, to encourage digitization of all financial transactions across the country, reduce illegal and terrorist activities, reduce money laundering, mitigate in Tax payment and aid in Prime Minister’s Jan Dhan Yojna.
7. Bank Recapitalization
It is an attempt to save and strengthen more than 20 Public Sector Banks by infusing cash in return for them implementing a series of reforms. The Indian Government unveiled a Massive Rs 881.4 Billion, two year roadmap, to clean up their debt ridden balance sheets, introduce strong reforms in PSU banks and to give a strong push to the job creating MSME sector. IDBI bank, the Bank with highest Non-Performing Assets, got the maximum share of recapitalization with Rs 10, 610 Crore to maintain regulatory capital.
8. Air India Privatization
The ailing National Carrier, Air India, which has made huge losses over the years and has an outstanding debt of Rs 51,890 Crore, has been a bone of contention to the BJP government. So the government has initiated strategic disinvestment plans as recommended by NITI Aayog in March 2017. Also, 49% of foreign Direct Investment has been allowed, that means foreign players can chip in with local buyers in a bid to privatize the carrier. There has been a ban on direct recruitment in Air India for non operational staff in order to decrease the surplus sales and ticketing employees.
9. RERA and Affordable Housing
Driven by BJP Government’s decision to provide Housing to all by 2022, India’s Housing Industry received a boost from the Affordable Housing segment. Other Industry-building initiatives like Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme and RERA improved transparency and built consumer trust. Affordable housing, means homes priced below Rs 50 Lakh, accounted for 71% of total launches. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) promised positive returns in the residential housing sector, by ensuring legally protected investments and commitment on timely delivery by developers.
10. Crackdown on Shell Firms
Demonetization and other measures taken by BJP Government to prevent money laundering, counterfeiting, hoarding and tax evasion claimed to have revealed over 3 Lakh shell companies. More than 2 Lakh companies were deregistered and their bank accounts frozen, for failing to comply with regulatory requirements. The Serious Fraud Investigation office investigated more than 1 thousand companies for violating the companies act. These shell firms were unearthed using artificial intelligence and data analytics and further measures are being taken to identify ultimate beneficiaries of these shell firms to bring them to justice.
11. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojna
This Government plan, launched in July 2015, aims to provide continuous electricity supply to households and agricultural supply in Rural India. The major component of this scheme is feeder separation, which will ensure sufficient electricity to farmers and regular supply to rural households. There will be meters installed to reduce losses. This scheme will indirectly provide new avenues for employment by boosting small and household enterprises, increase agricultural yield, increased social security, healthcare and banking system and increased opportunities for comprehensive development.
12. Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna
This scheme aims to provide 5 Crore LPG connections to women below poverty line by 2019, with a support of Rs 1600 per connection. This is being done to stop the women from inhaling the harmful smoke generated from burning firewood, dung cakes etc used for cooking. The smoke causes respiratory diseases as well as pollution. This scheme also provides more opportunities for employment through ‘Make in India’ campaign as manufacture of cylinders and other parts are domestic. This scheme has helped India become the second importer of LPG in the world.
13. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
It is a social campaign aimed to generate awareness about the declining Child Sex Ratio (number of girls per 1000 of boys), ensuring survival and protection of the girl child and to ensure the education of the girl child. This scheme was launched in January 2015 in Haryana at a budget of 200 Crore. At the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, the effectiveness of the scheme would be gauged to assess its impact and take corrective measures.
14. Smart Cities Mission
This is an urban renewal and retrofitting program, aimed at developing 100 cities in the country to make them citizen friendly, sustainable and inclusive. Until Jan 2018, 99 cities had been selected for the Smart Cities Mission and will receive a funding of Rs 1000 Crore to develop smart cities. Although definition of ‘Smart City’ will vary from each city to city, in general, all cities will have mixed land use in area based development, inclusive housing, walkable localities, green cover, variety of transportation options along with last mile connectivity and making the city citizen friendly and cost effective.
15. Foreign Policy put on fast track mode
BJP government has been aggressive and bold in enacting their foreign policy. In terms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his foreign policy is about “finding common interest points” and giving due recognition to all in the interconnected and interdependent world. Since May 2014, Prime Minister Modi has made 56 foreign trips, to build a personal equation with the other leaders and gather economic and political advantage for the country.
16. Confidence building measures in Kashmir
The BJP government has been actively working on confidence building measures in Kashmir, right from building better roads and railways, to investing in opening IITs, NITs and medical colleges to promote quality education. The government responded immediately with relief measures during the Kashmir floods.
17. Tourism gets a push
India’s rankings in The UN World Tourism Organization’s barometer have improved to 40th ever since BJP government came into power, as compared to 65th in 2013. Prime Minister Modi has been pushing to improve India’s tourism potential and has taken several steps. Some of these include planning of three international summits to woo foreign tourists, Incredible India Investor’s Summit and International Buddhist Conclave at Varanasi
18. Implementation of Neighborhood First Policy
An Invitation to Prime Minister of Israel and hosting all 10 ASEAN leaders for the Republic Day Parade in 2018 was a move aimed at improving relations with India’s immediate neighbors. However, it isn’t the first time Prime Minister Modi is doing that. He invited all the leaders of SAARC nations to his Swearing In ceremony in 2014, setting up the precedent for “Neighborhood First” policy.
19. Creation of NITI Aayog to Replace Planning Commission
In Jan 2015, National Institution of Transforming India (NITI) Aayog was formed with the major goal of reducing the policy paralysis that was evident in the UPA rule. It is a Policy think tank of the government to achieve sustainable development goals. It uses a Bottom-up approach in the economic policy making process. In the 3 year BJP rule, NITI Aayog has worked in several sectors, such as promotion of digital payments, reforms in medical education, Atal Innovation Mission, creation of task force for elimination of poverty in India, amongst others.
