Mangaluru : Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coals and Mines Pralhad Joshi on Monday said the government is giving thrust to investment in the public sector at a time when the global economy is being affected by an economic slowdown.

One of the initiatives is to spend at least Rs.100 lakh crore on infrastructure creation in the next five years, including Rs.50 lakh crore on railway infrastructure, Mr. Joshi told a gathering of eminent personalities of Mangaluru here.

The contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has come down from over 60% four decades ago to about 14%, and one needs to give impetus to other sectors to support the agriculture sector, he said. As such, the government is giving a push to the industrial and manufacturing sectors so as to generate more revenue, which in turn can be utilised to boost the agriculture sector.

Speaking about the achievements of the Narendra Modi government, Mr. Joshi said unlike the previous government that had a strong political head and a weak administrative head, the political and administrative powers are with one person in the NDA government, which helps in taking strong decisions. Consequently, the country is performing well in all sectors, from infrastructure to energy, Mr. Joshi claimed.

He also said that despite the global economic slowdown, Indian economy has remained the fastest growing one. He said the government has been taking timely decisions to address crises as and when they occur.

Defending the government’s decision slash corporate tax from 30% to 22%, Mr. Joshi said the actual collection earlier had been around 23% and the rest was “settled” by other means. Now, the government has fixed realistic rates that can be achieved. For years, left-oriented thoughts termed support to industries and business as anti-poor, but the NDA government believes support to industries and clean business is required for the overall economic growth of the country, he said.

He said providing ease of living to the common man was the government’’ motto. Mr. Joshi added the 21st century belongs to India, just as the 20th was that of the United States and the 19th of England’s.

On the effects of the abrogation of Article 370, the Minister said Section 144 of the CrPC was in effect only in six police station limits, while the valley used to witness curfew nearly for half of the year between 2008-2011. However, there is no question of abolishing Article 371 that offers special status to some of States, he added.