PM Modi Amid Agnipath Row: Reforms May Be Unpleasant Temporarily But Beneficial Over Time

Without mentioning the Agnipath scheme, PM Modi, addressing an event in Bengaluru, said the path of reforms can alone take us towards new targets and new resolve.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves towards supporters in Bengaluru. Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai is also seen

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Amid nationwide upheaval over the Agnipath recruitment scheme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said reforms might be unpleasant temporarily but the country would experience its benefits with time. Without mentioning the Agnipath scheme, PM Modi, at a public address in Bengaluru, said, "Several decisions and reforms may be unpleasant temporarily, but with time their benefits can be experienced by the country."

"The path of reforms can alone take us towards new targets and new resolve we have opened up the space and Defence sector which for decades were under government control," PM Modi further said.

The Agnipath scheme provides for the recruitment of soldiers between 17-and-half years to 21 for a period of four years. About 25 per cent of the recruits from each batch would be offered regular service upon completion of the four-year tenure.

Calling Bengaluru "the city of dreams for the youth of India and entrepreneurship", PM Modi said Bengaluru had shown what Indian youth could achieve if the government gave facilities and interfered less in the lives of citizens.

"Bengaluru teaches those people to change their mindset, who even today degrade India's private sector and private enterprise. These power-minded people weigh the strength of the country and the capacity of crores of Indians low," PM Modi said.

Averring that the promise that the "double-engine" government had given, can be seen getting realised today, Modi said the projects launched today will support ease of living and ease of doing business.

Bengaluru is the true reflection of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', and the city's progress is linked to the progress of lakhs of dreams, he said, adding that the double-engine government is committed to the all-round development of the city, both in terms of livelihood and infrastructure.

He further said there was a 40-year delay in implementation of the Suburban Railway project for Bengaluru. If they were completed on time they wouldn't have put pressure on the city's infrastructure and have strengthened it further.

"I don't want to waste time and will work every minute..." he added.

(With inputs from PTI)