Gujarat firm on path of progress, says Modi

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the state is firm on the path of progress.

Speaking at the Gujarat Formation Day function in Surat, Modi said some harsh decisions have to be made for achieving progress. But those who find the state's progress against their personal interests will always try to sabotage the process by criticising the harsh decisions, he said.

Modi said the state topped in blood donation and eye donations in the country and congratulated the people for their efforts in this regard.

He called upon the people to make population control efforts a success. He said the government had started 2004 with a surplus of Rs 800 crore. The state had reduced its revenue deficit from Rs 7,000 crore to Rs 2,500 crore in a single year.

Modi said Gujarat was the only state in the country that had reduced administrative expenditure by five per cent, while other states registered a 10 to 15 per cent annual increase in expenditure. Modi said Gujarat has every right to celebrate its formation day and such public festivals helped bring the government and public closer.

"The Navratri festival had generated investment proposals worth Rs 66,000 crore. Yet it was criticised by some elements," Modi said.

Modi presented Rs 1 crore special development grant to Surat Municipal Corporation and Surat District administration. Modi released 'Surat Vision-2020' document, a compact disc about Surat city.

A function, 'Prem Shaurya Gujarat', was organised at the Lt Pdt Dindayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium. State Governor Kailashpati Mishra dedicated 'Asmita Smarnika', 'Surat Itihaas Darshan-2' and a map of Surat on CD.

The governor congratulated the citizens of Surat for making the celebrations a success.

Union minister for rural development Kashiram Rana, district guardian minister Narottam Patel, state Cabinet members, city mayor Snehlata Chauhan and chief secretary P K Lehri were also present.