Govt is striving to cut down the electricity bills of consumers to zero: PM Modi

Published By : Admin | February 24, 2024 | 12:31 IST
QuoteInaugurates, dedicates to nation and lays foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over Rs 34,400 crore in Chhattisgarh
QuoteProjects cater to important sectors like Roads, Railways, Coal, Power and Solar Energy
QuoteDedicates NTPC’s Lara Super Thermal Power Project Stage-I to the Nation and lays foundation Stone of NTPC’s Lara Super Thermal Power Project Stage-II
Quote“Development of Chhattisgarh and welfare of the people is the priority of the double engine government”
Quote“Viksit Chhattisgarh will be built by empowerment of the poor, farmers, youth and Nari Shakti”
Quote“Government is striving to cut down the electricity bills of consumers to zero”
Quote“For Modi, you are his family and your dreams are his resolutions”
Quote“When India becomes the third largest economic power in the world in the next 5 years, Chhattisgarh will also reach new heights of development”
Quote“When corruption comes to an end, development starts and creates many employment opportunities”

Jai Johar!

Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai ji, Chhattisgarh's ministers, other representatives, and people from every corner of Chhattisgarh! I have been told that thousands of people have gathered at more than 90 locations. My dear family members who have gathered from all corners! First of all, I congratulate the lakhs of family members gathered at all the assembly seats of Chhattisgarh. You have blessed us abundantly in the assembly elections. It is the result of your blessings that today we are amidst you with the resolution of ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’. BJP has built it, BJP will transform it, and this fact is being reaffirmed today through this event.

Friends,

The development of ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ will come through the empowerment of the poor, farmers, youth, and women. The foundation of ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ will be strengthened by modern infrastructure. Therefore, today the inauguration and dedication of projects worth nearly 35,000 crore rupees related to the development of Chhattisgarh have taken place. These projects include various initiatives related to coal, solar energy, electricity, and connectivity. These projects will create new employment opportunities and avenues for the youth of Chhattisgarh. Congratulations to all my brothers and sisters of Chhattisgarh for these projects.

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Friends,

Today, the 1600 megawatt super thermal power station Stage-One of NTPC has been dedicated to the nation. Along with this, the foundation stone for the 1600 megawatt Stage-Two of this modern plant has also been laid. These plants will provide electricity to the citizens at a lower cost. We also aim to make Chhattisgarh a major centre for solar energy. Today, large solar plants have been inaugurated in Rajnandgaon and Bhilai. These plants are equipped with arrangements to provide electricity to the surrounding areas even at night. The goal of the Indian government is not only to provide electricity to the people through solar power but also to bring their electricity bills to zero. Modi wants every home to become a solar home. Modi wants to provide another source of income to every family by generating electricity at home and selling the surplus electricity. With this aim, we have launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which is currently for one crore families. Under this scheme, the government will provide assistance for installing solar panels on the rooftops, and the money will be directly transferred to the bank accounts. Families will receive free electricity up to 300 units, and for any excess electricity generated, the government will make the purchase. This will earn families thousands of rupees every year. The government is also focusing on making our farmers energy producers. The government is also providing assistance for solar pumps and installing small solar plants on the edges of fields or on barren land.

Brothers and sisters,

The way the double engine government in Chhattisgarh is fulfilling its promises is highly commendable. Lakhs of farmers in Chhattisgarh have already been given a bonus due for two years. During the elections, I had given a guarantee to the tendu leaf collectors that their wages would be increased, and the double engine government has fulfilled this guarantee as well. The previous Congress government not only hindered the construction of homes for the poor but also put roadblocks. Now, the BJP government has swiftly started working on building homes for the poor. The government is also rapidly advancing the Har Ghar Jal scheme. Orders have been given to investigate the irregularities in the PSC exam. I congratulate the sisters of Chhattisgarh for the Mahtari Vandana Yojana. This scheme will benefit lakhs of sisters. All these decisions show that the BJP not only says but also does what it says. That's why people say, Modi's guarantee means a guarantee of fulfilment.

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Friends,

Chhattisgarh has hard working farmers, talented youth, and a treasure trove of natural resources. Everything needed for development was present in Chhattisgarh before and is still available today. However, those who ruled the country for a long time after independence did not have a visionary mindset. They only made decisions while keeping their political interests in mind for five years. The Congress formed governments repeatedly, but forgot to build the future of Bharat because their only goal was to form a government. Advancing the nation was not part of their agenda. Even today, the situation and direction of Congress politics remain the same. The Congress cannot think beyond dynastic politics, corruption, and appeasement. Those who work only for their families can never think about your families. Those who are only focused on securing the future of their own children can never worry about the future of your children. But for Modi, all of you are Modi's family. Your dreams are Modi's resolve. Therefore, today I am talking about Viksit Bharat Viksit Chhattisgarh.

This ‘sevak’ has given the guarantee of his hard work and dedication to the 140 crore citizens of the country. In 2014, Modi had given the guarantee that the government would be such that every Indian's head would be held high with pride all over the world. I dedicated myself completely to fulfil this guarantee. In 2014, Modi guaranteed that there would be no compromise for the poor in the government. Those who looted the poor would have to return the money to the poor. Today, strict action is being taken against those who have looted the money of the poor. The money saved from being looted from the poor is being used in schemes for the welfare of the poor. Free ration, free treatment, affordable medicines, houses for the poor, piped water in every home, gas connections to every home, toilets in every home - all these tasks are being accomplished. These facilities are reaching the homes of those poor who had never even imagined them. During the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra, Modi's guaranteed vehicle reached every village. And now, the Hon’ble Chief Minister shared all the achievements of the guaranteed vehicle, boosting enthusiasm.

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Friends,

Ten years ago, Modi gave another guarantee. At that time, I said that we would create a Bharat where the dreams of our previous generations, which they had seen with great hope, nurtured those dreams, would be realized. Today, the new Bharat being built is just like the dreams our ancestors had seen. Did anyone think ten years ago that digital payments could be possible even in villages? Or banking related works, bill payments, submitting applications could be done from home? Did anyone ever think that a son who had gone to work away from his state could send money to his family in the village at the blink of an eye? Did anyone ever think that the BJP government at the Centre would send money and a message would immediately come on the mobile phone of the poor man that the money has been deposited? Today, this has become possible. You will remember, there was a Prime Minister from the Congress. He said for his own Congress government, for his own government, that if 1 rupee is sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reaches the village, 85 paise disappears along the way. If this situation had continued, today you can imagine what the situation would have been like. Now, calculate, in the past 10 years, the BJP government has sent more than 34 lakh crore rupees, more than 34 lakh crore rupees, this figure is not small, through DBT, Direct Benefit Transfer, meaning money reaches directly to your bank account from Delhi. Through DBT, more than 34 lakh crore rupees have been sent to the bank accounts of the people of the country. Now, imagine, if there had been a Congress government and the tradition of 15 paise out of 1 rupee had continued, then what would have happened. Out of 34 lakh crore rupees, middlemen would have embezzled 29 lakh crore rupees.

The BJP government has also provided assistance of 28 lakh crore rupees to youths for employment and self-employment under the Mudra Yojana. If there had been a Congress government, their middlemen would have embezzled around 24 lakh crore rupees. The BJP government has transferred nearly 2.75 lakh crore rupees to the bank accounts of farmers under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. If there had been a Congress government, they would have taken away about 2.25 lakh crore rupees for themselves, and the money would not have reached the farmers. Today, it is the BJP government that has ensured the rights of the poor, that has given them their due. When corruption stops, development plans begin, and many opportunities for employment emerge. Along with that, modern facilities for education and health are also being developed in the surrounding areas. The wide roads being built today, the new railway lines being laid, are all a result of the good governance of the BJP government.

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Brothers and sisters,

The dream of a ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ will be fulfilled through initiatives that meet the modern needs of the 21st century. If Chhattisgarh develops, nothing can stop Bharat from progressing. When Bharat becomes the world's third-largest economic power in the next five years, Chhattisgarh will also rise to new heights of development. This is a significant opportunity, especially for first-time voters and young students in schools and colleges. ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ will fulfil their dreams. Congratulations to all of you once again on these development initiatives.

Thanks!

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Joint declaration on the implementation of the comprehensive partnership between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of India
June 16, 2025

A Historic Visit and Enduring Partnership

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, warmly welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for an official visit to Cyprus from 15 to 16 June 2025. Prime Minister Modi’s visit, the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades, marks a historic milestone and reaffirms the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. The visit celebrates not only a shared history, but a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect.

The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues, underscoring the growing breadth and depth of cooperation between Cyprus and India. They welcomed recent progress in economic, technological, and people-to-people ties, reflective of the dynamic and evolving nature of the relationship.

Acknowledging the increasing alignment of their values, interests, international outlook and vision, both sides expressed their determination to further advance this partnership across key sectors.Cyprus and India committed to deepening their cooperation as trusted and indispensable partners contributing to regional and global peace, prosperity, and stability.

They agreed on the following joint declaration:

Shared Values and Global Commitments

The two leaders underscored their shared commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, grounded in the UN Charter and international law, placing particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with regard to freedom of navigation and sovereign maritime rights.

The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. They held detailed discussions on international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed the importance of upholding the global non-proliferation architecture, recognizing the value of India joining the Nuclear Suppliers group.

The leaders expressed their intention to strengthen coordination within international organizations, including within the United Nations and the Commonwealth, and agreed to work closely on implementing the 2024 Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration, highlighting ocean governance as a pillar of global sustainability and resilience. In this context, the inaugural Commonwealth Ocean Ministers Meeting was held in April 2024 in Cyprus, also marked the establishment of the Blue Charter Centre of Excellence to advance sustainable ocean governance and strengthen capacity across Commonwealth member states.

Both Leaders discussed the need for reform of the United Nations Security Council, including ways to make it more effective, efficient, and representative of the contemporary geopolitical challenges. The two Leaders expressed support to forward movement in the Intergovernmental Negotiations on United Nations Security Council reform, and reiterated their commitment to make continuous efforts to move towards text-based negotiations. Cyprus reiterated its support for the enhancement of the representative character of the United Nations Security Council expansion with India as a permanent member in an expanded United Nations Security Council.

Both sides agreed to engage in close co-operation and support each other at the United Nations including supporting each other’s candidacies to multilateral forums.

Political Dialogue

The two sides agreed to hold regular political dialogue and to utilize existing bilateral mechanisms, inter alia those between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India, to streamline coordination and advance cooperation across various sectors. The above competent Ministries shall overview and monitor the implementation of the areas of cooperation included in the Action Plan that is to be prepared, in close coordination with the competent authorities of both countries.

Support for Sovereignty and Peace

Cyprus and India expressed their strong commitment to the resumption of UN-facilitated efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Cyprus Question on the basis of a bizonal, bicommunal federation with political equality, in accordance with the agreed UN framework and the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

India reiterated its unwavering and consistent support for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Republic of Cyprus. In this regard, both sides emphasized the need to avoid unilateral actions as essential for creating a conducive environment for the resumption of meaningful negotiations.

Security, Defence, and Crisis Cooperation

Cyprus and India unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including international and cross-border terrorism, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to countering hybrid threats that undermine peace and stability.

Cyprus expressed solidarity and unwavering support to India in its fight against cross-border terrorism. The two leaders strongly condemned the gruesome killing of civilians in the recent heinous terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, India. They reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, rejecting any justification for such acts, under any circumstances. They emphasized that those responsible for the attacks should be held accountable.

The leaders urged all States to respect the sovereignty of other nations and condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms. They called for the disruption of terrorism financing networks, elimination of safe havens, dismantling of terrorist infrastructure, and bringing perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Emphasizing the need for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained approach to combatting terrorism across borders, they underscored the importance of working collaboratively, bilaterally and with the multilateral system.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening multilateral efforts to combat terrorism and called for the expeditious finalization and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism within the UN framework. They urged for concerted actions against all UN- and EU-designated terrorists and terrorist entities, associated proxy groups, facilitators, and sponsors, including terrorists under 1267 UNSC Sanctions Committee. They reiterated their strong commitment to continue taking active measures to disrupt terrorist financing channels including through the UN and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Acknowledging emerging challenges within the international security environment, the leaders stressed the importance of enhancing strategic autonomy, defence readiness, and defence capabilities.

They agreed to deepen their defence and security cooperation, including through collaboration between their respective defence industries, with a special focus on cybersecurity and emerging technologies.

Recognizing both India and Cyprus as maritime nations with deep-rooted naval traditions, the leaders also discussed expanding cooperation to include the maritime domain. They will encourage more regular port calls by Indian naval vessels and explore opportunities for joint maritime training and exercises to enhance maritime domain awareness and regional security.

In that vein, and in light of ongoing global crises, both sides committed to strengthening cooperation in emergency preparedness and coordinated crisis response. Drawing on past successful efforts, the leaders agreed to institutionalize coordination in evacuation and Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

Connectivity and Regional Cooperation

Cyprus and India share a strategic vision of serving as bridges between regions. Both leaders underscored the significance of the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative, multi-nodal initiative that fosters peace, economic integration, and sustainable development. Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe.

While recognizing Cyprus’ role as a gateway into Europe and, in this context, its prospect to serve as a regional hub for transshipment, storage, distribution, and logistics, they welcomed the prospect of Indian shipping companies establishing a presence in Cyprus, encouraging the advancement of maritime cooperation through joint ventures involving Cyprus-based and Indian maritime service providers as a means of further strengthening economic and logistical ties.

EU–India Strategic Engagement

Looking ahead to Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU–India relations. They recalled the milestone visit of the College of Commissioners to India, and expressed satisfaction on the launch of the first India-EU Strategic Dialogue and the progress already made in the priority areas identified during the visit including in trade, defence and security, maritime, connectivity, clean and green energy, and space.

Cyprus pledged to work towards the advancement of the EU-India strategic partnership during the Presidency. Both sides expressed readiness to support the conclusion of the EU–India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year recognizing its significant economic and strategic potential. They also expressed their support for the ongoing work through the EU–India Trade and Technology Council and committed to sustaining a forward-looking agenda beyond the 2025 Strategic Roadmap to deepen this key global partnership.

Trade, Innovation, Technology and Economic Opportunity

Recognizing the growing strategic complementarity between Cyprus and India, the leaders committed to expanding economic ties through increased trade, investment, and collaboration in science, innovation, and research.

To advance cooperation, the two leaders noted they would welcome a Cypriot high-level delegation visiting India, including business representatives, as well as the organisation of a Cyprus–India Business Forum to promote investment opportunities. The two leaders also addressed the Cyprus–India Business Round Table on Advancing a Strategic Economic Partnership.

Both leaders agreed to promote collaboration in research, innovation, and technology, fostering stronger ties between startups, academic institutions, and industry, and supporting innovation exchanges in key sectors like artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and research, with a view of concluding a related MoU.

Mobility, Tourism, and People-to-people Ties

The two leaders recognized people-to-people ties as a strategic asset and multiplier for deepening economic and cultural ties. The two sides will work to finalise a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025.

Both sides emphasized the value of fostering mutual understanding through cultural and people-to-people ties. They agreed to explore opportunities for enhancing tourism and the establishment of direct air connectivity between Cyprus and India, as well as enhanced air routes via shared partners, to improve ease of travel and boost bilateral exchanges.

The Future: 2025-2029 Action Plan

This Joint Declaration reaffirms the strategic bond between Cyprus and India. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across their regions and beyond.

The leaders agreed that an Action Plan is to be prepared in order to guide bilateral relations between Cyprus and India for the next five years, under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India.