NEW DELHI — In a wide-ranging address to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a historical “disconnect” in Indian governance, accusing past administrations of viewing the nation’s citizens as a burden rather than its greatest asset. Replying to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, Modi argued that for decades, national planning was divorced from the “ground realities” of India’s villages and hilly terrains.
The “Jeep or Nothing” Mentality
To illustrate the failure of the now-defunct Planning Commission, the Prime Minister shared a pointed anecdote from the Indira Gandhi era. He recalled a dispute where local workers in a mountain region requested mules to transport luggage where roads did not exist, only for the Planning Commission to insist on providing “jeeps or nothing.”
“This rigid, top-down attitude persisted for decades,” Modi stated. “It ignored regional realities and effectively neglected districts that were then labeled as ‘backward.’ We have replaced that mindset with the NITI Aayog, moving from a centralized command to a collaborative federalism.”
Bridging the Gap through Saturation
The Prime Minister emphasized that his government’s “Saturation Model”—ensuring 100% coverage of schemes like PM-Kisan and Mudra Yojana—is the direct answer to this planning gap.
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PRAGATI Platform: He noted that infrastructure projects worth ₹85 lakh crore have been accelerated through monthly reviews, unlocking “stalled” projects like the Bogibeel Bridge that had been stuck in planning for decades.
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Local Empowerment: Citing the transformation of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, once neglected by central planners, he pointed to initiatives like the “Bastar Olympics” as proof that localized governance works.
“140 Crore Solutions”
The address took place amid a walkout by Opposition members, whom Modi accused of “escaping the truth.” He sharply contrasted his administration’s philosophy with his predecessors: “Where past leaders saw 35 crore or 70 crore problems, we see 140 crore solutions. Our citizens are not a problem to be managed; they are the power driving the ‘Reform Express’ toward a developed India by 2047.”
As the 2026-27 Budget session continues, the Prime Minister’s remarks signal an even greater push toward “Aspirational Districts” and a focus on “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) that prioritizes on-ground implementation over high-level theory.
