Ease of doing business leads to ease of life, says PM Modi

Hailing India's 30 places jump in the World Bank's ease of doing business rankings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said ease of doing business leads to "ease of life". Modi on Saturday attended a presentation of India's Business Reforms at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in the national capital.

"I sense a well deserved mood of celebration here, World Bank has recognized stupendous work done by us towards ease of doing business," he said while speaking at the event.

The Prime Minister said the goverment's efforts have gained momentum, adding that from the current position it would be easier to improve. "Aur kya kaam hai mere paas, bas ek hi kaam hai-ye desh, mere desh ke sava sau crore log aur unke jeevan mein mein badlaav laana (What other work do I have? I have only one work and that is to serve 100 crore people of the country and bring about a change in their lives)," he said. He said that the World Bank report on ease of doing business has not taken into account the implementation of the GST. "With GST we are moving towards modern tax-regime," he added.

India has jumped a massive 30 places to 100 in the World Bank's ease of doing business rankings this year. When Narendra Modi government took the reins of the country in 2014, India's ranking in the index was 142. So essentially in three years, India has moved up by 42 places to be at 100th rank this year. In a veiled attack at the Congress, Modi said, "Kuch logon ko bharat ki ranking 142 se 100 hone ki baat samajh nahi aati hai, inko fark nahi padta..Aur isme kuch log aise hain jo pehle World Bank mein reh chuke hain. Vo aaj bhi Bharat ki ranking pe sawal utha rahe hain (Some people do not understand that India has climbed from 142 to 100th rank, they are not bothered..Some of these people have been in the World Bank, they are questioning India's ranking)."

Modi said he has not even seen the World Bank building, adding, "Earlier people who used to like world bank used to sit here." They have done nothing, but are questioning those who are working, he said while taking a dig at the opposition. Speaking on the issue of job creation, Modi said that it is an oppurtunity as well as a challenge.