Yediyurappa hails Rs 20L cr package to make India self-reliant

Bengaluru: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Rs 20 lakh crore package to boost the Covid-hit economy, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, here on Wednesday, said it would transform India into a self-reliant nation.

"Thank you PM@narendramodiji for this historic economic package of Rs 20L crore package. This is destined to make India a leader in the 21st century," the Chief Minister tweeted.

The package, about 10 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP), aims to transform the virus-hit economy by reforming land and labour laws and making entrepreneurs, industry, farmers and migrant workers stakeholders in making the country self-reliant.

"The #Atma Nirbhar Bharart Abhiyan will transform India into a strong, vibrant and self-reliant nation," said Yediyurappa in another tweet.

Karnataka Health Minister B.R. Sriramulu said the package would revive the industrial sector and benefit the poor, middle/working class and farmers, devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. "A heartfelt thank you on behalf of people," tweeted Sriramulu.

Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar, also in-charge of the fight against Covid-19, tweeted, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Thank you PM@narendramodi for announcing the package to reboot the economy."

Tejasvi Surya, BJP Lok Sabha member from Bangalore South, said the package would have institutional reforms, technology-driven governance. "The revolutionary package will facilitate global supply chain domination, local to global MSME's strengthening, wealth creation and poverty to prosperity crisis as an opportunity," Surya tweeted.

"Self reliance mantra. Let's build a #NewIndia! #atmanirbharbharat," said Surya in anther tweet.

The Congress, however, slammed the package, saying, "they (BJP) are happy announcing the special grant, but not in implementing it."

"They (BJP leaders) are happy Modi announcing the special grant, which includes measures the Union Finance Ministry and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had taken in March after the pandemic outbreak and spread," it said.

"The Rs 1,610 crore special package Yeddiurappa announced on May 6 to provide succour to Covide-hit people, including farmers, growers, auto-rickshaw drivers, barbers and washermen is yet to reach them," tweeted Karnataka Congress chief D.K. Shivakumar.

Mocking at the ruling BJP's promises and assurances, Shivakumar said the state government was yet to transfer the relief into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.