Chennai: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu took strong exception to the Congress for criticising the Centre's schemes, especially the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme and warned the Opposition to stop dragging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name for the sake of publicity.
Claiming that the Congress-led UPA had done nothing when it was in power for 10 years and that it was the Narendra Modi-led BJP government that has come out with OROP, he said the UPA government has allotted pension sum of Rs 500 crore in the budget. "Our government raised it to Rs. 29,000 crore. That is the fact," Mr Venkaiah said on Saturday. He accused the Congress of making an issue out of everything.
Infrastructure grows at a rate of 9 to 10% annually Earlier, addressing the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Builders' Association of India (BAI) here on Saturday Mr. Venkaiah said development was the major goal of the Centre. "Construction domain is vital for the development and growth. Construction industry is building infrastructures whereas government is building the nation.
Infrastructure growth is at the rate of 9 to 10 % annually. Growth in any sector should be inclusive and sustainable and benefit even the people at grassroot level," he said.
He released the 75 Years Journey Book of BAI, which was received by B. Seenaiah, All India Past President of BAI. Post Master General B. Radhika Chakravarthy released the Special Postal Cover marking the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and it was received by All India Past President & Trustee, BAI A.S. Chinnasamy Raju. Former Vice President, Larsen & Toubro K.V. Rangaswami was honoured with Nirman Ratna Award and Bishma R. Radhakrishnan, All India Past President of BAI, was honoured with Seva Ratna Award, for their contribution to the Indian Construction Industry.
The association's All India President Avinash M. Patil released a souvenir and it was received by Mu. Mohan, All India Vice president from Southern Centre.
