‘License Raj’: When Jairam Ramesh’s Father Had To Waite 15 Years For A Car, PM Refers In Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took credit for ending the Congress-era license permit raj and credited his government’s proactive policies for the country’s digital revolution.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Modi said that without the launch of ‘Digital India’ a decade ago, 5G technology wouldn’t have spread across the country as it has.

Highlighting his vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat,’ Modi urged the nation to rise above politics for the sake of development. He emphasized the need for introspection and discussion over the President’s Address to move the nation forward.

Modi recalled the restrictive license raj under previous governments, where even basic commodities like cement, sugar, and computers required permits. He said, “Today’s youth should understand how their parents suffered under Congress’ license raj.”

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He also shared an anecdote about a Congress MP whose father couldn’t buy a car for 15 years despite having the money.

The Prime Minister criticized the Congress for financial mismanagement and corruption, saying it tarnished the nation’s global reputation. He further stressed that India’s culture supports free trade, not a license raj.

On the economic front, Modi listed his government’s achievements over the past 10 years, including a ten-fold increase in defense exports, the PLI scheme, and reforms that made India the second-largest producer of mobile phones and steel.

He also highlighted the country’s vaccine production during the Covid era, growth in Ayush, herbal products, and Khadi exports, and credited the MSME sector for generating millions of jobs.

“After breaking free from Congress’ Punja (election symbol), India is soaring high,” Modi said.