Cooperative federalism only way to take country forward: Narendra Modi

Gajwel (Telangana), Aug 7 Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that cooperative federalism was the only way to take the country forward, and his government was working for this.

He said the centre and states were now working together.

"There was a time when there was always a language of tension between the centre and the states but today they are working together to take India to new heights," he said in his address at a public meeting here on Sunday after launching Telangana's drinking water project "Mission Bhagiratha' and other projects.

The PM also hailed healthy competition among states, saying this would contribute to the country's development.

On his maiden visit to Telangana, Modi began his speech by greeting people in Telugu and speaking a few words in the local language.

He was all praise for the steps taken by the youngest state in the short span of two years to fulfill people's aspirations.

Referring to Good and Services Tax (GST) bill, he described it as the biggest economic reform after Independence and thanked Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and other parties who supported it.

Modi told the gathering that his government was trying to ensure water supply to farmers under Pradhan Mantro krishi Senchai Yojna. Stating that the government is giving priority to agriculture sector, he said if farmers get water, they have the capability to produce gold out of soil.

The PM also spoke about the achievements of his government during last two years. He said the states which were facing electricity shortage had now become electricity surplus.

Referring to fertilisers, he said the central government no longer receive requests from states for supply of fertilisers for farmers as the government overcame the problem of diversion of urea to chemical factories with neem-coated urea.

Later, at the BJP workers' meeting in Hyderabad, Modi said there was no blot on his government as it faced no allegation of corruption during last two years.

Modi said his government eliminated the role of middlemen, stopped leakage of gas subsidy and convinced 1.25 crore families to give up gas subsidy to use the money for providing connections to poor.

IANS