Mohali (Punjab) [India], April 26 (ANI): As Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to youths selected for working at various central government departments, Union Minister Hardeep Puri on Saturday lauded the efforts of the Central government to provide employment and how the country is on a track towards 'Viksit Bharat.'

Highlighting the past efforts of the Central government, he said that they have distributed over 9 lakh appointment letters since 2014, when the BJP government was formed.

'PM Modi issued appointment letters for 51,000 people at 47 places across the country. Since the beginning, we have distributed 9.25 lakh employments... Looking at the larger context, we are on a journey towards Viksit Bharat and looking at the assessment of IMF, we are the fastest growing major economy in the world today,' Puri told during the Rozgar mela in Mohali.

On the Pahalgam terror attack, Puri blamed it on Pakistan and reiterated the PM talking about Pakistan paying a 'heavy price' for it.

'The Pahalgam incident is unequivocally a cross-border terrorist attack unleashed by a neighbouring state and they are taking its responsibility... Unlike before, no business will continue. Like PM Modi said, Pakistan will have to pay a heavy price and this is just the beginning... The terrorists take away the most fundamental right to life. This is being condemned by the entire world. Pakistan is not just a rogue state, it is a country in terminal decline,' he said.

Earlier today, PM Modi virtually distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to youth appointed in various government departments under Rozgar Mela. The PM stated that the 'Make in India' mission would boost the country's MSMEs and small entrepreneurs while opening up new employment opportunities. He emphasised that the current era offers unprecedented opportunities for India's youth.

'In this budget, the government has announced a manufacturing mission. Its objective is to promote 'Make in India' and provide the youth of India with an opportunity to create products of global standards. This will not only give a boost to lakhs of MSMEs in the country...our small entrepreneurs, but will also open up new employment opportunities across the country,' the PM said.

The Central Government in its Union Budget 2025, announced an increase in investment and turnover limits for the classification of MSMES and introduced customised credit cards with a limit of Rs 5 lakh. (ANI)