Jaipur, Sept. 26 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of corruption, mismanagement, and exploitation during its rule. Addressing a public rally in Napla village of Banswara district, Modi said that while "Congress rule was marked by loot," the BJP government has ensured "savings," which is why the country is celebrating the GST Savings Festival. He alleged that under Congress, Rajasthan had become the "epicentre of paper leaks," corruption marred the Jal Jeevan Mission, atrocities against women were rampant, and illegal liquor trade thrived in Banswara. "Congress looted Rajasthan and gave wounds. It is our government that is working to heal those wounds," Modi said. During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs.1.22 lakh crore in Rajasthan. He also flagged off two new Vande Bharat trains connecting Jodhpur and Bikaner to Delhi Cantt. In a symbolic gesture, Modi handed over appointment letters to two youths, representing over 15,000 candidates selected for government jobs in various departments. Modi accused the Congress government of ignoring the importance of electricity, saying that increasing power production is necessary for any country to develop rapidly in the 21st century. "Before 2014, there were 2.5 crore households in India that did not have electricity connection. Even after 70 years of Independence, electricity poles had not even been installed in 18,000 villages across the country. The Congress government did not pay any attention to the importance of electricity," Modi said while addressing a public meeting in this Rajasthan district on Thursday. "In Congress rule, power cuts were frequent. Even if electricity arrived for four or five hours in the villages, it was considered a big deal. People would say it was a news and would congratulate the arrival of electricity," he said. "New industries could not be established. In 2014, our government resolved to change this situation. Electricity reached every village in the country. Life became easier for people," he said. He said that in the twenty-first century, any country that wants to develop rapidly must increase power production. "Any country that aims to develop rapidly in the 21st century must increase its electricity production. The most successful countries will be those that lead in clean energy," he said. The BJP government at the Centre is advancing the clean energy campaign by turning it into a people's movement, he said. The Prime Minister on Thursday laid the foundation for and inaugurated several projects in the fields of renewable energy, water supply, power, road and infrastructure worth Rs.1,22,100 crore during the event in Banswara. Among the most significant is the Mahi-Banswara nuclear power project, a 2,800 MW facility to be built at a cost of Rs.42,000 crore in Banswara. Speaking on the tax reforms, Modi said 11 years ago, the Congress government was engaged in exploiting and looting the people of the country. "In the Congress era, both taxes and inflation were sky-high. There was loot everywhere whereas under the BJP, it is more about savings. The government put an end to Congress' loot after people blessed Modi," the prime minister said. Modi said that in 2017, GST was implemented and people got rid of the tax hassles and now GST has been reformed. "The whole of India is celebrating the GST savings festival. Everyday items have become cheaper. Kitchen expenses have reduced. Before 2014, the Congress government used to charge Rs.31 as tax on a purchase of Rs.100. When GST was implemented in 2017, the same item worth Rs.100 increased by only Rs.18 and started costing Rs.118. There was a saving of Rs.13," he said. Modi also pushed his vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), urging citizens and shopkeepers to embrace Swadeshi. "Swadeshi means goods made in India by the hard work of our youth. Be proud and display boards in your shops saying, 'Garv se kaho yeh Swadeshi hai,'" he appealed, adding that buying local strengthens the economy, creates infrastructure, and benefits farmers, workers, and small businesses. He said that when Swadeshi products are purchased, that money goes to some artisan and businessman of the country. "That money does not go outside the country but is used for the development of the country, with that money highways, roads, schools, hospitals are built, houses for the poor are built. We have to make Swadeshi our self-respect," he said. The Prime Minister also hit out at the previous Congress government in Rajasthan, saying the state became a hub of paper leak during its rule, when atrocities against women were at their peak. "Under the Congress, Rajasthan became the hub of paper leaks, the Jal Jeevan Mission was sacrificed due to corruption, atrocities against women were at their peak, and rapists were protected," he said. After the BJP was voted to power, it strengthened law and order and accelerated development projects in the state, he added. Today, the BJP government is moving Rajasthan forward on the path of rapid development, Modi said. Union minister Pralhad Joshi, Rajasthan governor Haribhau Bagade, CM Bhajanlal Sharma, deputy CMs Premchand Bairwa and Diya Kumari, BJP state president Madan Rathore, former CM Vasundhara Raje and other leaders also attended the programme. Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi accused the BJP government of depriving tribals of forest rights and handing over forest land to industrialists, leading to large-scale displacement. He said while Congress governments built factories, dams, airports, and ports, the BJP has transferred such assets to corporates at nominal rates. Chaturvedi alleged that after "looting the country for eight years in the name of GST," the BJP is now trying to take credit for minor concessions instead of apologizing. He also questioned why the Banswara-Ratlam rail project, initiated under the Manmohan Singh government, was halted and why Mangarh Dham has not been declared a national monument. Criticizing the Centre's inaction on exam paper leaks, he said no law was enacted on the lines of Rajasthan's anti-cheating legislation. He added that people of Rajasthan are disappointed as no compensation or relief package has been announced for farmers devastated by heavy rains, who lost lives, homes, cattle, and crops....