Those who were in World Bank now doubt India's ranking: PM Modi's dig at Opposition

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a dig at the Congress party for their remark on 'ease of doing business', saying the party had failed to understand what coming down to 100 from 142 in the World Bank's list means.

Taking a dig at the opposition leaders, PM Modi said those who worked with the World Bank are now doubting its ranking.

Speaking at India's Business Reforms at Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in Delhi, the Prime Minister said had UPA government done some work when they were in power, then India would have achieved this milestone long back.

"There are some people, who do not understand what improving from 142 to 100 means. They are those people who have been a part of the World Bank. They are still raising question on its ranking," Prime Minister Modi said without directly referring to the Congress party.



"They didn't do anything, and now the one who is doing something is being questioned. Coincidentally, the World Bank started this ease of doing business ranking process in 2004. The year is very crucial and everyone knows who was there in power till 2014," he added.



He further said, rather than criticising this achievement, the parties should come together with a new energy and move forward to make a 'New India'.

The Prime Minister's remark came days after the Congress party dismissed the World Bank report on India's improved 'ease of doing business' and mocked the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government over the same.

While addressing a rally in Gujarat, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on November 1 said there is nothing like 'ease of doing business in India' as Goods and Service Tax (GST) and demonetisation have ruined everything. He said such improved ranking is good, only for making Finance Minister Arun Jaitley happy.

PM Modi exuded confidence that India's ease of doing business ranking will further improve next year when the impact of GST - the biggest tax reform - is taken into account.

This ranking takes into account reforms initiated only till May-end and does not reflect the impact of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which was implemented from July 1, he said.

The GST has not just integrated the nation of 1.2 billion into one market with one tax rate but also provided a stable and transparent taxation regime, he said.

This reform plus others that have already happened but need gestation and stabilisation time before they are taken into account by the World Bank, will improve the ranking, the prime minister said.

All these combined, gives me confidence that India will accompany a place of pride in World Bank's report next year and the year thereafter, he said.

Modi said he does not want to sleep over the 30 place jump this year - the biggest leap by India ever, and want to do more.

He said he has "one life, one mission" of bringing change to India and its 1.25 billion people.

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(With inputs from Agencies)