Nirmala Sitharaman accuses opposition of tarnishing India’s image

New Delhi: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman at BJP’s national executive while listing the accomplishments of the government attacked the opposition of  accusing them of tarnishing India’s image.

“While India is being praised across the world for the vaccination program, we also remember the skepticism spread by the opposition over the vaccination from the very beginning,” she said. 

The minister said that India’s “great methodical way” in administering over 100 crore vaccine doses is being praised across the world. She pointed out that ₹ 36,000 crore was allocated in the budget for vaccination and improving overall healthcare infrastructure. 

The entry of women in defense and Army, and the establishment of Sainik schools came as a part of the resolution, the minister said. Women-led development is our motto, she said. 

Several party leaders in the meeting have stressed on vaccination numbers and the distribution of free ration to the poor under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. “Taking care of human lives, we gave food to 80 crore people for 8 months,” Sitharaman said.

She also pointed out that “one nation, one ration card” was issued. This scheme allows migrant workers to get ration at the place of their work in other states as well where their ration cards are not registered.

The minister also referred to the reading down of Article 370, claiming that Jammu and Kashmir is now moving from “terrorism to development” in spite of “all the troubles”. 

Sitharaman claimed that a corruption-free government is being given to the people and it has brought “great transparency” through Digital India. “India is looking at massive changes and the Digital India Mission is accelerating them. The Aatmanirbhar Bharat, helped by Make In India and the Digital India Mission, will strengthen the nation,” she added.

Setting the tone for upcoming assembly elections in five states, BJP president JP Nadda on Sunday set targets to further strengthen the party’s organisation and asserted that its best is yet to come.