Hardeep Singh Puri discusses fuel prices and government welfare policies at Nation First Summit

Republic’s Nation First Summit: In an exclusive interview at the Republic’s Nation First Summit, Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, offered a comprehensive insight into government’s control over fuel prices and its approach towards governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance strategies were a central focus of the discussion.

Minister Puri highlighted India's ability to control fuel prices, pointing out that the country has not witnessed an increase in oil prices for an astonishing 522 days. Puri said, “When all other countries in the world apart from oil-producing nations, have increased their fuel prices, India has been one of the few countries which have not increased the petrol prices from last 522 days.”

Government’s policies of social welfare

Puri commended the SVANidhi scheme as a prime example of the connection between good governance and successful politics. PM SVANidhi is a micro-credit scheme aimed at offering essential support to street vendors. This initiative provides a collateral-free working capital loan of Rs 10,000, and it also extends the opportunity for subsequent loans of Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000 with a 7 per cent interest subsidy.

He also underlined India's role in fostering entrepreneurship among the lowest-income groups by connecting the country through micro-financing.

The Minister also lauded the success of Prime Minister Modi's Ujjwala Yojna, which expanded access to clean cooking fuel by increasing gas connections from 14 crore to 35 crore households.

Vikas model vs freebies model

In the interview, Puri contrasted the "Vikas Model" advocated by Narendra Modi's government with the "Freebies Model" proposed by the opposition.

“In contrast to previous administrations, which raised funds by issuing high-interest oil bonds, the current government has reduced excise and our state-serving states reduced VAT rates for economic management,” Puri added.

Puri also addressed the significant price difference in fuel prices between BJP-ruled and non-BJP-ruled states, revealing a gap of approximately Rs 10 saying, “Those who question us are the ones taking the maximum taxes from their people.”

In the exclusive interview, Puri presented a clear picture of the government’s policies, and economic strategies, particularly in the context of fuel pricing and social welfare.