PM addresses inaugural session of 90th Annual General Meeting of FICCI

Published By : Admin | December 13, 2017 | 17:15 IST
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today addressed the inaugural session of the 90th Annual General Meeting of FICCI. 

He recalled that around the time of FICCI's founding in 1927, Indian Industry had united against the Simon Commission that was constituted by the then British Government. He said that Indian Industry had joined all other sections of Indian society, in national interest, at that time. 



The Prime Minister said that a similar atmosphere exists today when people of the country are coming forward to fulfill their responsibilities towards the nation. He said the hopes and aspirations of people are to rid the country from internal problems like corruption, and black money. He said political parties and chambers of industry should keep in mind the country's requirements and the feelings of the people, and work accordingly. 

The Prime Minister said that a lot has been achieved since independence, but several challenges have arisen as well. He said the poor seemed to be struggling against the system that came to be established, for things such as bank accounts, gas connections, scholarships, pensions etc. He said the Union Government is working to end this struggle, and to create a system that is transparent and sensitive. He said the Jan Dhan Yojana is one example of this, and increasing "ease of living" has been the focus of the Union Government. He also mentioned the Ujjwala Yojana, construction of toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. He said that he has come through poverty, and understands the need to work for the requirements of the poor and the nation. He also mentioned the Mudra Yojana, for collateral-free loans to entrepreneurs. 


The Prime Minister said that the Union Government is working to strengthen the banking system. He said the issue of NPAs is a legacy received by the current Government. He said, rumours are now being spread about the Financial Regulation and Deposit Insurance (FRDI) Bill. He said the Government is working to protect the interests of the account holders, but rumours that are being spread are the exact opposite. He said organizations such as FICCI have a responsibility to generate awareness about such issues. He said, that similarly, FICCI has a role to play in making GST more effective. He said the Government's effort is to ensure that maximum businesses register for GST. He said the more formal the system becomes, the more it will benefit the poor. It will enable easier availability of credit from the banks, and reduce cost of logistics, thereby enhancing competitiveness of businesses. I hope FICCI has some plan to generate large-scale awareness among small traders, he added. He also said that FICCI must also voice concerns, when necessary, on issues such as builders exploiting the common man. 

The Prime Minister mentioned policy decisions taken in sectors such as urea, textile, civil aviation, and health, and the benefits achieved from them. He also mentioned reforms in sectors such as defence, construction, food-processing etc. He said that as a result of these measures, India's rank has risen from 142 to 100, in the World Bank "Ease of Doing Business" rankings. He also mentioned other indicators which point to the robust health of the economy. He said that the steps taken by the Government are also playing a key role in job creation. 

The Prime Minister said FICCI has a key role to play in sectors such as food processing, start-ups, artificial intelligence, solar power, healthcare etc. He urged FICCI to play the role of a think-tank for the MSME sector. 

Click here to read the full text speech

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PM to visit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on 1st March
February 27, 2026
PM to inaugurate, dedicate to the Nation and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs. 2,700 crore in Puducherry
Projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, urban services, industrial development, education, healthcare and sustainable growth in Puducherry
PM to inaugurate, dedicate to nation and lay the foundation stone and inaugurate infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 4,400 crore in Madurai
PM to lay the foundation stone for four-laning of Marakkanam–Puducherry Section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87
PM to inaugurate 8 redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu and dedicate to the nation Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore 4th Line
PM to perform darshan and pooja at Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple at Tirupparankundram

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will visit Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on 1st March 2026. After his visit to Rajasthan and Gujarat, Prime Minister will reach Chennai on 28th February night at around 9 PM.

On 1st March, at around 11:45 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the Nation and lay the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs. 2,700 crore in Puducherry. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Thereafter, he will travel to Madurai where, at around 3 PM, he will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 4,400 crore. He will also address the gathering on the occasion. At around 4 PM, Prime Minister will perform darshan and pooja at Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple, Tirupparankundram in Madurai.

PM in Puducherry

Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the Nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure, urban services, industrial development, education, healthcare and sustainable growth in Puducherry.

Prime Minister will inaugurate several key initiatives including the launch of e-Buses under the PM e-Bus Seva Initiative, the Integrated Command and Control Centre under the Smart City Mission, tenements for Economically Weaker Sections under City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) initiative, and important sewerage and water supply sector projects of the Government of Puducherry. He will also inaugurate the Composite Engineering Block- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Block and Ganga Hostel of National Institute of Technology, Karaikal; the modernization of the Regional Cancer Centre at JIPMER; and new annexe buildings, lecture halls and hostels of Pondicherry University, further strengthening higher education and healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the 750-acre Karasur-Sedarapet Industrial Estate, which will house a Pharma Park, Textile Park, IT Park, state-of-the-art research and development centre of IIT Madras and advanced healthcare facilities of JIPMER, thereby providing a major boost to industrial growth and employment generation in the region.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of water supply projects to improve drinking water systems and ensure clean and safe water for residents of Puducherry region. He will also lay the foundation stone for construction of 41 rural roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), development of Heritage Town in Puducherry, mangrove restoration under the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes) scheme, projects in water supply and sanitation sectors, and power sector projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), among others.

Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of various projects covering major sectors like urban roads, drainage networks, public buildings, student hostels and sport facilities under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. The Government of India has approved inclusion of the Puducherry under SASCI scheme which was originally limited to States alone, allowing for capital asset creation works to be taken up for improving infrastructure and common utilities meant for people’s use.

PM in Madurai

Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone and inaugurate infrastructure projects worth over Rs. 4,400 crore in Madurai, aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving mobility and accelerating regional economic development. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for four-laning of Marakkanam–Puducherry Section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87. The four-laning of the Marakkanam–Puducherry section will help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas of Puducherry, reduce travel time by nearly 50%, from one hour to about 30 minutes. The project will provide seamless connectivity among key National Highways and State Highways, enhance access to prominent destinations such as Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station and Auroville, strengthen connectivity between coastal villages and Viluppuram district headquarters, and boost tourism and economic activity in the region.

The four-laning of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram Section of NH-87 will provide faster access to major religious destinations including Madurai, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. The project will reduce travel time by around 40%, from one hour to approximately 35 minutes. It will strengthen multi-modal connectivity by linking major railway stations at Madurai and Rameswaram, airports at Madurai and INS Parundu, and non-major ports at Pamban and Rameswaram. Aligned with the principles of PM Gati Shakti, the corridor will integrate key economic nodes including fishing clusters, a Special Economic Zone, a Mega Food Park and a textile cluster, thereby catalysing trade, industry and socio-economic development across the region.

Prime Minister will inaugurate and dedicate to the Nation rail infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing passenger convenience, improving operational efficiency and strengthening rail-based connectivity in the State.

Prime Minister will inaugurate 8 redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These redeveloped railway stations are Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikkudi Junction, Thiruvarur Junction in Tamil Nadu. These stations have been upgraded with modern passenger-centric amenities while incorporating local architectural elements and cultural aesthetics, including improved accessibility, enhanced station buildings, modern waiting halls, lifts and escalators, upgraded platforms and Divyangjan-friendly facilities.

Prime Minister will also dedicate to the Nation the Chennai Beach-Chennai Egmore 4th Line, a rail line that will significantly enhance operational efficiency in the Chennai suburban rail network by facilitating additional passenger and freight train services and benefiting lakhs of daily commuters including office-goers, IT professionals, students and traders.

To further strengthen broadcasting services in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister will inaugurate three new Akashvani FM relay transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore. These transmitters will expand regional coverage, ensure uninterrupted FM broadcasting and enhance access to public broadcasting services across multiple districts of the State.