NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi attended ‘India’s Business Reforms’ event at Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi, where he talked about the recent rankings the country received in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index published by the World Bank. Mr. Modi started the conversation by saying: “I sense a well deserved mood of celebration here, World Bank has recognized stupendous work done by us towards ease of doing business.”
He also didn’t miss a chance to slam the Opposition by stating that if this ranking was achieved earlier, we would have been a better nation by now. He also said, “Instead of questioning the ranking on the respective World Bank index, we should strive towards making India a better nation.”
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi led the opposition attack by accusing the government’s decision last year to ban high value currency notes, followed by the Goods and Services Tax of having devastated businesses. “Ask small traders about ease of doing business,” Rahul Gandhi has said, describing the two measures as “twin torpedos” that sunk entrepreneurs into losses.
Mr. Modi reciprocated by saying in the event that “Kuch logon ko bharat ki ranking 142 se 100 hone ki baat samajh nahi aati hai, inko fark nahi padta, (Some people do not understand the impact of India’s ranking going up from 142 to 100, they are not bothered by it)” the PM said
“World Bank has recognised our efforts,” the PM said. He added that while deciding upon the rankings, GST was not taken into account as the tax reform was implemented from July 1 while the index was based on reforms taken only till May-end. “Our mantra of reform, perform and transform with help from World Bank will surely create a better nation,” the PM said.
He also said that a group ministers is looking into issues raised by traders and businessmen regarding the tax reform and the GST Council will make the necessary changes in its next meeting on November 9-10.
While talking about employment in the country, PM Modi said, “We are a young country and job creation is an opportunity as well as a challenge.” “Small businesses are India’s largest employer. We must reduce cost of doing business.”
