NEW DELHI, AUG 15, 2015: FROM the ramparts of Lal Quila, the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, today claimed that under the 'Compliance Window' Scheme launched under the New Black Money Act, foreign assets worth Rs 6500 Crore has been declared so far. He said that his Government is committed to carry on the fight against black money despite its 'side effect'.

Mr Modi also mentioned the PAHAL scheme for direct transfer of LPG subsidy, which has resulted in savings of Rs. 15,000 crore. He said the introduction of "neem-coated urea" has helped to end diversion of subsidized urea to non-agricultural purposes.

He acknowledged that the common man still faces problems because of corruption. The Prime Minister described corruption as a termite, which needs bitter medicine, with possible side-effects, to cure. Through the various initiatives of the Government, the Prime Minister highlighted how each had contributed to the elimination of middlemen. He said that in the last year, the CBI had registered 1800 cases against corruption, as against 800 in the year before that.

The Prime Minister recalled some of the resolves he had made in his Independence Day address last year. He said the promise of toilets in all schools had been almost fulfilled, with the cooperation of States. He said financial inclusion had received a big boost with the opening of 17 crore bank accounts through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. He said the Rs. 20,000 crore deposited in the Jan Dhan accounts reflected the "richness of India's poor".

The Prime Minister announced the "Start-Up India" initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurship among the youth of India. He said each of the 1.25 lakh bank branches, should encourage at least one Dalit or Adivasi entrepreneur, and at least one woman entrepreneur. "Start-Up India, Stand-Up India," the Prime Minister said.

On the long-standing demand from ex-serviceman for One-Rank, One-Pension, the Prime Minister reiterated that the demand had been accepted by the Government "in-principle." He said the modalities were being worked out with stakeholders, and he was hopeful of a positive outcome.

The Prime Minister reiterated his Government's resolve to make India a developed nation by 2022, with a house and access to basic services like electricity, to all. He said the Government had resolved to connect with electricity, all the 18,500 villages which still remain without power, within the next 1000 days. He also reiterated his vision for the development of eastern India.

Questioning the practice of "interviews" for recruitments even at relatively junior levels, the Prime Minister called upon concerned departments to end this practice at the earliest, and to promote merit by recruiting only through transparent, online processes.