Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia spoke to The Sunday Guardian.
After revamping the aviation landscape in the country, Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia is focused on taking the number of airports in the country to over 200 in the next five years, as he credits the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing about monumental development in the country. Excerpts from the interview he gave to The Sunday Guardian.
Q: Your Civil Aviation Ministry’s achievements came in for special appreciation in Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech. What are your plans over the next five years?
A: India is now the third largest domestic aviation market. In terms of both domestic and international flights, India is the fifth largest market. Over the next five years, the number of airports, heliports and water aerodromes is going to cross 200. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 149 now. Uttar Pradesh, for example, had just six airports but now it has 10 airports and that number would go up to 16 by yearend. Jewar International Airport in the state would also be operational by the end of the year. In the first quarter of the current calendar year, we are going to provide five new airports with connectivity in the state.
Q: Considering that the BJP has not won all 29 Lok Sabha seats in the past two elections in Madhya Pradesh, is the Congress fortress of Chhindwara going to be conquered in the upcoming contest?
A: The BJP is set to win all 29 parliamentary constituencies in Madhya Pradesh in the next election. The Modi Guarantee and the strong development agenda of the state government are sure to pay rich dividends. The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi is toiling day and night to ensure that benefits of welfare schemes reach each and every individual is remarkable. About 80 crore people are getting free ration under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 10 crore women have benefited from the Ujjwala scheme, 11 crore farmers are getting financial assistance, 28 crore people have joined the Ayushman card scheme and 13 crore people are benefiting from tapped water supply scheme. The Modi government is committed to ensuring 100% saturation of each scheme. On one hand, the Congress has adopted the policy of “tushtikaran” (appeasement), on the other, the Modi government has adopted the policy of “santhushtikaran” (satisfaction of people).
Q: Is the victory of BJP in Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections a precursor to the expected win on Lok Sabha seats in the state?
A: The double engine government in Madhya Pradesh has delivered on the development front. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is leading the state towards progress, the foundations of which have been laid through the course of the last 18 years. The results will reflect the same in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Q: Do you expect the I.N.D.I.A bloc to pose any challenge to the PM Modi-led NDA?
A: The “ghamandiaya” and “bhrashtachari” I.N.D.I.A bloc is no challenge to “Modi ki Guarantee.” Under PM Modi’s leadership, India is well on its way to become the third largest economy in the next three years. Schemes like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat are taking India forward. Our Rs 11-lakh crore Capex plan is also part of his vision. A lot of work is being done—be it highways, airports, ports, and even our financial management during Covid was exemplary. The PM has converted the dreams of 140 crore people into his sankalp (aim) of establishing India as a “Vishwa Guru”. In my 20-year tenure of public service, I have never seen such dedicated and target-oriented leadership as shown by the PM. He keeps a close watch on the minutest of details in all departments and this is the force behind the monumental change and development that he has brought about in the country.
Q: The Congress came out with a “Black Paper” on the alleged poor performance of the Modi government after the FM presented a “White Paper” on UPA government’s 10-year rule. What do you have to say?
A: Only a “Black Paper” can be expected from people whose hearts and deeds are black. We cannot expect anything more from the Congress. What they did in 65 years, the BJP under PM Modi has already done 10 times more than that. The BJP government under the leadership of PM Modi has adopted a new approach to development, wherein “Gareeb Kalyan, Sushasan and Sewa” are our three core pillars on which development policies, initiatives and decisions are formed.
The poor and the most underprivileged have been uplifted from the clutches of poverty, unveiled the latent potential of 140 crore people and brought the “Nation First” motto to the core of governance. This is the reason why India has emerged as one of the strongest nations against the global Covid-19 pandemic and is now well on its way towards becoming a global superpower.
This is the New India where dreams of yesterday are becoming the realities of today. Under the guidance of PM Modi, we are committed to building a Bharat which ensures development for all, provides equal opportunities to all and enables all to nurture a progressive future for the nation. The focus is on Nari Shakti, empowering Amrit Peedhi, Garib Kalyan and Annadata ko Majbooti.