PM Modi says ED’s efficiency improved after 2014, presents before, after stats

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the efficiency of the Enforcement Directorate improved after 2014 and provided stats as proof. PM Modi said.

That ED filed less than 1,800 cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) before 2014. The number increased to more than 5,000 after the NDA government came to power, PM Modi said.

This is “proof of their improved efficiency”, said the Prime Minister in an interview with Asianet News. He added that the number of searches conducted also increased from 84 to 7,000 before and after 2014.

PM Modi also addressed the allegations raised by opposition parties that central agencies are being used to target them. He said only three per cent of the corruption cases registered by the ED are against people involved in politics.

He also took a dig at the criticism raised by opposition parties and said, “If an institution has been set up to take action against corruption, questions should be asked if it does not do its work. It does not make sense to ask questions because it does its work.”

The Prime Minister added that the government should let the investigative agencies work independently and should not hinder their work for their political interests.

ON LOK SABHA POLLS

PM Modi said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are “critical” because the voters of the country “experienced what a stable government can do” after “unstable governments for three decades”.

The Prime Minister said such “unstable governments” did a lot of damage to the country and the ongoing general elections are important as people will cast their votes based on their experience.

“I believe that the election of 2024 is not being fought by the BJP or Modi. It’s an initiative of the people,” said the Prime Minister.

He also spoke about him becoming the Prime Minister in 2014 and said, “The people had hopes from me, and I had hopes of fulfilling the hopes of the people of the country. I don’t rule, I serve. To run a government, for me, doesn’t mean enjoying my post while running a government.”

The Prime Minister slammed the previous governments and said they did not work towards strengthening India’s relations with West Asia. PM Modi said the relationship between India and these countries has moved from a ‘seller/buyer’ dynamic towards a more comprehensive development.