Nirmala Sitharaman Highlights Rural Electrification and Water Accessibility Progress

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's significant progress in electrification, water accessibility, and economic empowerment during a fireside chat with John J Hamre, President and CEO of Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in Washington, DC

Highlighting progress me in rural electrification, Sitharaman highlighted that every village in India now has access to electricity. She noted that in 2014, many villages across India, including those near state capitals, lacked even basic infrastructure for electrification.

She said “I don't think any village in India is unelectrified today. Households have received connections. So, if I remember situation in 2014, re were still many villages in many parts of India, some even very close to state capital, provincial hequarters, without even a pole to receive electric wires. Now, all that has been overcome. Houses have got ir electricity.”

Finance Minister also discussed Jal Jeevan Mission, a program initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide tap water connections to every household.

She explained, “Earlier, one tap water connection was provided to a village, from where everyone would take water to ir home. But under 'Jal Jeevan Mission,' each and every house gets a tap water connection.”

Sitharaman emphasized positive impact of this initiative on health, sanitation, and convenience for millions of Indian families.

Turning to economic empowerment of municipalities and urban centers, Sitharaman noted that se local governments are receiving increased autonomy and financial support.

She explained that municipalities receive a portion of taxes collected by central government, along with ditional funds based on Finance Commission's recommendations.

"Over and above, today, we are enhancing ir capacities to raise resources from market. Municipalities are a very powerful instrument of economic development and y, on ir own, are raising a lot of resources," she ded.

Sitharaman also expressed confidence in India's economic growth and its appeal to global investors. " policies are working, reforms are happening, and y shall continue to happen," she stated, ding that “greater liberalisation of economy will be re and, in a way, we are accessing newer markets and speaking about Indian economy in more avenues and platforms that will attract more investors.”

With ongoing reforms and increased global engagement, Sitharaman noted, India is solidifying its position as a significant player on world stage, expanding its economic reach and inviting foreign investment. (ANI)