Udupi: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday said a Gross District Domestic Product (GDDP) plan must be implemented across the country, on the lines of Uttar Pradesh, to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.She was speaking after inaugurating the two-day district training camp organised by the Udupi district BJP as part of the ‘Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Prashikshan Maha Abhiyan-2026’ at the Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Auditorium.The minister said a saturation target is essential to ensure central and state govt schemes reach eligible beneficiaries at the district level. She expressed confidence in the economy, noting that the Indian economy, internal market, foreign investment, and purchasing power are doing well.Citing a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) report, she said investment in Indian industry has increased by 60%, while India’s GDP growth rate stands at 7.7%. Despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, she said, strong growth has been recorded in manufacturing, services, agriculture and transport sectors.“The opposition cannot tolerate this growth. They are working to create fear among the people regarding the Indian economy. Let discussions on social media and mainstream media happen based on the truth. Inform the people about the govt’s achievements and India’s strong economy,” she said.She emphasised that alongside ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, the contribution of all govts and citizens is needed for ‘Sabka Prayas’. No district or constituency should be neglected, she said, urging party workers to strengthen efforts at the grassroots and face challenges effectively.Prayers for good monsoonSitharaman planted a sapling at the Uchila Sri Mahalakshmi Temple and said she prayed to Lord Krishna, Goddess Mariamma and Goddess Mahalakshmi to protect the country from the adverse effects of El Nino.“There is a forecast of reduced rainfall this time, and the coastal region is the gateway to the country’s monsoon. A good monsoon, good crops, and the welfare of farmers contribute immensely to the country’s economy,” she said.The event was presided over by BJP district president Kuthyaru Naveen Shetty. MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary, MLAs Gurme Suresh Shetty, Yashpal Suvarna, V Sunil Kumar, Gururaj Ganthiole, Kiran Kumar Kodgi, MLC Dr Dhananjaya Sarji, and state BJP Mahila Morcha general secretary Shilpa G Suvarna were present.Visit to Sri Krishna MuttThe finance minister also visited Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi, offered prayers, and received blessings from Paryaya Seer Sri Vedavardhana Tirtha Swami. She inaugurated a newly constructed kitchen for preparing the deity’s ‘naivedya’.
Nirmala Sitharaman visit Sri Krishna Mutt in Udupi Saturday
The minister also participated in an interaction programme with trade and industry representatives at Hotel Ocean Pearl in Mangaluru
