Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the current Union government is working to “wash away” what he described as the mistakes of the previous Congress-led government, referring to oil bonds issued during 2004–2010.
Speaking at a TV channel event in Delhi, Modi said fuel and cooking gas prices were a major issue during that period. He alleged the Congress was more focused on retaining power than addressing public concerns.
Modi said oil bonds worth Rs 1.48 lakh crore were issued despite warnings that such borrowing would push future generations into debt. He added that repayments began after 2020, and claimed that with interest the country would end up paying more than Rs 3 lakh crore, nearly double the original amount.
The Prime Minister also said India is continuing on its growth path despite global uncertainty. Referring to developments over the past 23 days since the start of a war on February 28, he listed multiple projects launched across the country, including key Delhi Metro corridors, the foundation stone for a new airport in Kota, and international airport status for Madurai.
Modi said India is seen as a reliable partner from Gulf nations to Europe and among developing and neighbouring countries. He added that even as conflicts continue in several regions, many nations are surprised by India’s policies, plans and strengths.
