Ease of doing business leads to ease of life: PM Narendra Modi applauds World Bank ranking

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at an event in New Delhi, applauded India's moving up in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking, saying the international institution has "recognised (the) stupendous work done" by his government.

"Ease of doing business also leads to ease of life," PM Modi said as he also hit back at the Opposition, sections of which have questioned the World Bank report that saw India jump to rank 100 in the global ease of doing business rankings.

"Kuch logon ko Bharat ki ranking 142 (in 2014) se 100 (this year) hone ki baat samajh nahi aati hai, inko fark nahi padta (Some people are unable to understand India moving from 142 to 100 in the ease of doing business rankings)," PM Modi said adding that some of these people have been part of the World Bank.

Targeting the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government that preceded his rule, PM Modi said, "Yadi insolvency/bankruptcy code jaise sudhar apke samay mein hote to ye subhagya apke hisse na aata kya (If you had brought in reforms such as the insolvency/bankruptcy code, wouldn't you have seen such improvement in ranking as well?)."

The prime minister also lauded the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, saying it will take India towards a "modern tax regime". Modi also spoke briefly about job creation - an issue the Opposition has repeatedly targeted him on - saying, "We are a young country and job creation is an opportunity as well as a challenge."

PM Modi was speaking at the 'India's Business Reforms' session in New Delhi.

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