Dedicating the 4.5 MT expansion of the Rourkela Steel Plant to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon states to work together with the Centre to pave the way for prosperity of future generations.
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"The nation will not progress if there is inconsistent development, development needs to happen in the entire nation. It's not enough for rest of the country to progress while the eastern region lags behind, all states in step now," he said at a public meeting at Rourkela, after dedicating the 4.5 MT expansion of Rourkela Steel Plant to the nation.
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The Prime Minister said that he had come to Rourkela to deliver 'vikas' (development). He described Rourkela as the town which has given India the strength of steel. He said the Rourkela Steel Plant plays a key role in the nation's defence as well.
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"Rourkela is like a "mini India", people from all walks of life are here. India is protected because someone in Rourkela is working in the iron mines in the heat, that's where all the armour comes from. So, it goes without saying that the people from Rourkela also contribute to national security," he said.
Prime Minister Modi said India had surpassed America in steel production, but was still far behind China, and therefore, a lot more still needed to be done. He said value addition was necessary in India's mineral wealth in order to build a strong economy.
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Prime Minister Modi further said that the world was looking at India again with optimism. He invited the investors from across the world to invest in India.
The Prime Minister emphasized in particular, the need to develop the eastern part of India, including the states of Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
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"Everyone in the world is looking towards India, therefore, we want to invite them to invest in our nation for better prospects," he stated.
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The Prime Minister said the Centre and states were equal stakeholders in the nation's development.
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"Now, the nation runs with the policy of partnership with the states, unlike before. There is no higher or lower, better or worse," he added.
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Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the steps taken by the Centre to strengthen the states, including enhancing mineral royalty and greater devolution of financial resources to states. He said it was now up to the states to work with a long-term vision for development.
The Prime Minister described the process of auctioning of coal blocks and said the revenues from this would contribute greatly to the development of states.
