25 crore people lifted out of poverty in 9 years: PM Modi

ANANTAPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that reforms in the taxation system improved government tax collections and this helped in reducing poverty during the past 10 years of his governance.

"The Central government spent the tax amounts for the genuine welfare of the people,” he said while inaugurating the campus of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (Nacin) at Palasamudram in Gorantla mandal in Satya Sai district on Tuesday.

Referring to the latest Niti Aayog report that was released a few days ahead of the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Modi said, “Almost 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty in the last nine years.”

The PM arrived at the Nacin in the afternoon after having darshan at the Lepakshi temple. Modi had an interaction with the 74th and 75th batches of the IRS (Customs & direct taxes) and officer trainees of the Royal Civil Service of Bhutan.

The Nacin academy has been established in 503 acres of land at an estimated cost of `541 crore, with special interest in introduction of international standards in reforms and improving the taxation system in the country.

The PM said Nacin should provide a modern ecosystem to the country. Stressing the need for Rama Rajya and following the teachings of saint Tulasidas, the Prime Minister said, “Lord Sri Ram is a great symbol of good governance. He can be a great inspiration for NACIN too because the government is striving to end pilferage, corruption and irregularities at all levels.”

“Whatever we took from the people, we returned to them. This is good governance and the message of Ram Rajya is to fight against corruption. Taking action against corrupt people has been the priority of the government. The poor of this country have the power that if they are given resources, they will defeat poverty themselves,” Modi claimed.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, the Prime Minister said that the very idea of Ram Rajya was the notion behind the concept of true democracy. He highlighted the Mahatma’s life and experience and said this was the reason why he was backing the Ram Rajya ideology.

Quoting a Sanskrit sloka, the PM said, “It is said about the citizens of Ram Rajya, ‘Ram Rajya Vasiyon (citizens), keep your head high and fight for justice, treat everyone as equal, protect the weak, hold dharma at the highest level, You are Ram Rajya Vasis.”

The PM elaborated his Sab ka Prayas call from the ramparts of the Red Fort by illustrating it with the life of Lord Rama. He recalled His wise use of resources in his fight against Ravana and converting them into a massive force. He concluded it by asking the officers to realize their role in nation-building and called for collective efforts to increase the country's income and investment and enhance the ease of doing business.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman observed that the state governments, from 2014 to till date, extended support to complete the project. “The state government provided water from the HNSS project and 10 acres of additional land towards establishment of the Central School at Palasamudram,” she stated.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister dedicated the academy to the nation after handing it over to the Director-General K.G. Raghavan.

AP Governor Justice Nazeer Ahmed, Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chowdary, chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and others were present. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Veerabhadra Temple at Lepakshi, in Sri Sathya Sai district, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (PTI Photo)