Sitharaman: Govt monitoring inflation, won’t let down guard: FM Nirmala Sitharaman – Times of India

Speaking about the moves taken for the benefit of farmers, Sitharaman told reporters in Mumbai that the Centre is providing Rs 6,000 to every farmer and added that the government is absorbing the rise in fertiliser prices so that farmers can continue to procure the same at old prices. “Every effort is being made for debt reduction. Today, India is the world’s second largest producer of honey, banana; it is among the largest producers of milk, wheat, rice, horticulture. All these products are exported, which helps farmers get a higher price and increases their income. All these would not be possible without government help,” she said, adding the use of solar panels in agricultural fields has also brought down the cost of electricity.
In terms of upliftment of the poor, she said, the Centre has provided 9.6 crore gas connections under the Ujjwala Yojana. “Since the prices of gas cylinders has gone up, the government is offering a subsidy of Rs 200. Each time a cylinder is booked, Rs 200 goes into the account of the person,” the finance minister said, adding, “Every paise collected in tax is being spent on the upliftment of poor and backward communities. In the past nine years, 3.5 crore pucca houses as well as 11.7 crore toilets have been constructed covering entire rural India; this is restoring the dignity and security of women. Women and girls are being provided with sanitary pads for Re 1. Around 80 crore people have been given free foodgrains and pulses for years.”
On infrastructure development, Sitharaman said that 74 airports have been built in the past nine years as opposed to the 74 built in the 70 years before it. This apart from, 111 inland waterways, metros in 15 cities and the Kolum bypass, she said, adding that the world’s largest tunnel was built in record time at Lahaul Spiti.
Clarifying that the move to call back Rs 2,000 notes was taken by the Reserve Bank of India under its Clean Note Policy, the finance minister said, “It was introduced at the time of demonetisation for remonetisation, and the objective has been achieved. Besides, its life span is over.”