Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“The states should start planning of tier 2 and tier 3 cities from now. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now becoming the centre of economic activities. Our startups are taking place in those cities. We should focus on developing industry clusters in those areas. Small vendors must get training to use digital payments system. Mayors must take the initiative to ensure this,” Prime minister Narendra Modi said
New Delhi:
Noting that the tier two and three cities are becoming the centre of economic activities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that there should be a focus on developing industry clusters in such areas.
Addressing a conference of Council of Mayors and Deputy Mayors of BJP in Gujarat via video conferencing, the Prime Minister asked them to take initiatives to ensure that the small vendors get training to use the digital payments system.
“The states should start planning of tier 2 and tier 3 cities from now. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now becoming the centre of economic activities. Our startups are taking place in those cities. We should focus on developing industry clusters in those areas. Small vendors must get training to use digital payments system. Mayors must take the initiative to ensure this,” he said.
Listing out the development of urban infrastructure under his government, PM Modi said that the government is making efforts to make towns a centre of a holistic lifestyle.
“India is making investments in its urban infrastructure. Till 2014, the metro network in the country was lesser than 250 km. Today, it has exceeded 775 km. Work is underway on 1,000 km of metro route. It is our effort that our towns should become a centre of a holistic lifestyle,” he said.
The Prime Minister further asked the attendees of the conference not to have “election-centric thinking” stating that it cannot do good for the development of towns.
“The thinking of the elected public representatives should not be confined to elections. We cannot do good for the towns with election-centric thinking. Many a time a good decision for the towns is not taken due to a fear of loss in the elections,” he said.
Meanwhile, Modi on Tuesday said the fintech sector needs to work relentlessly on safety and reliability to uphold the trust of the people.
In his message at the Global Fintech Fest, Modi said the sector has been an example of the wonders that can be worked when a government that encourages innovation comes together with the energy of young and inventive minds.
”Innovation for inclusion has been our mantra, leading to the revolution in public delivery ensured by the JAM Trinity, the success of UPI in making digital payments a way of life, and India’s global rise in the fintech and startup space as a hub of innovation and investment,” Modi said in the message which was read out by Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman, GFF 2022 Advisory Board.
JAM Trinity refers to Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile.
Modi said from a largely unbanked population to a country that is not only surging towards saturation in banking access but also digitally equipped, it has been a phenomenal journey.
”People involved in the fintech domain know well that constant innovation is the name of the game. Rapid, relentless, and proactive work in ensuring security, safety, and reliability is important to uphold the enormous trust that the people have placed,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the fintech domain in India has earned goodwill by being an enabler of inclusion, and there is a need for continued focus to empower the poorest of the poor by taking quality financial services to them.
He exuded confidence that the deliberations in the event will focus on how the fintech sector can play a crucial role in the ‘Amrit Kaal’, leading to the creation of a strong, prosperous and inclusive India.