The new district of Gir Somanth has been created from the existing Junagadh district and consists of 5 Talukas- Kodinar, Una, Veraval, Talala and Sutrapada. The district of Botad has been created out of the Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar districts. It consists of 4 Talukas. He wished the people of the new districts the very best in their development journey ahead.
Shri Modi pointed that the creation of small districts will help the people and described the 33 districts as the pillars of the development of Gujarat. He added that with the creation of the new districts there will be recruitment for the police forces and 30% of the recruitment will be set aide for women.
Gujarat’s coasts as the gateway of progress
Shri Modi affirmed that Gujarat’s 1600 km long coastline would become the gateway to India’s progress. He spoke about the importance of coastal security and highlighted Gujarat’s efforts in this direction including the setting up of the coastal police, which will make the coasts of Gujarat safer and increase the prosperity of the coastal regions. He talked about popularizing seaweed cultivation and said that it has made a great difference in the lives of the women of coastal areas.
Shri Modi raises issue of fishermen captured by Pakistan
During his speech, Shri Modi came down heavily on the inability of the Central Government to act against the poor treatment meted out by Pakistan to the fishermen of India. He criticized the Government for its failure to bring back fishing boats belonging to Indian fishermen that are with Pakistan. He urged the Centre to raise the issue of safety of Indian fishermen and the safe returning the boats belonging to Indian fishermen with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.Lauding the contribution of Gujarat’s fishermen community, Shri Modi declared that in a time when the Centre is helpless over the economic recovery of nation, Gujarat’s fishermen are scaling new heights and making a great contribution to the development journey.
CM pays tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Shri Modi remarked that had our political leaders taken the path of good governance (Sushasan) for the past 60 years, things would be different today. He said that in such times it is natural to remember a personality like Sardar Patel. He recalled the steps Sardar Patel took in the area of urban development when he was the Mayor of Ahmedabad and recalled that it was Sardar Patel who introduced the idea of setting aside 30% of seats for women in local bodies but the colonial rulers did not accept this.
Shri Modi attacks anti-Gujarat mindset of Congress-led UPA
The Chief Minister affirmed that the same Central Government that is trying to pass the Food Security Bill in the name of the poor is leaving no stone unturned as far as rendering injustice towards Gujarat is concerned. He shared that the Gujarat Government is already providing 35 kg grains to the poor with wheat at Rs. 2/- per kilo and rice at Rs. 3/- per kilo and 35 kg but with the Food Security Bill this will reduce to 25 kg per month. He attacked the UPA Government for fooling the people of India in the name of providing food security.He also came down heavily on the Centre for their refusal to grant permission to install gates on the Sardar Sarovar Dam despite repeated requests to the Prime Minister. Shri Modi avowed that even if they like it or not, the Centre will not be able to stall the development of Gujarat.
Those who attended the two functions include Agriculture Minister Shri Babubhai Bokhiria, Energy Minister Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, Ministers of State Smt. Vasuben Trivedi, Rajnibhai Patel, Shri Nanubhai Vanani, MPs Shri Dinu Solanki, Shri Rajendrasinh Rana, MLAs, former Ministers and other dignitaries.