Jaipur, June 12 -- Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday highlighted the achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government as it completed 12 years in office, claiming that the Centre had accomplished more in the past decade than Congress governments did in six decades. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters in Jaipur, Vaishnaw said the Modi government had undertaken major initiatives to strengthen road and railway infrastructure, improve connectivity, and build modern technological facilities across the state. "When Narendra Modi took over as Prime Minister, the country was going through a difficult phase. Corruption scandals were surfacing almost every day, the economy was struggling, and India's global image had suffered. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing crisis in West Asia, Prime Minister Modi has successfully steered the country and given India a new identity on the global stage," he said. The Union minister said PM Modi had laid the foundation for a "new India" with a focus on youth, women, and farmers. He also claimed that the government had weakened terrorism and Naxalism while strengthening democratic institutions. Referring to the Emergency imposed by the Congress government in 1975, Vaishnaw said democracy was suppressed during that period. "In the last 12 years, democracy has been strengthened, enhancing India's reputation as a democratic nation across the world," he said. Highlighting developments in the railway sector, he said Rajasthan had received unprecedented investment under the Modi government, resulting in rapid expansion and modernization of railway infrastructure. Vaishnaw said Rajasthan's railway budget, which stood at around Rs.600 crore before 2014, has increased to a record Rs.10,228 crore. He claimed that over the past 12 years, 37,000 kilometres of new railway tracks had been laid across the country, 70,000 kilometres of tracks upgraded, and 99.4% of railway lines electrified. He said work on railway modernization projects in Rajasthan was progressing rapidly, with around 85 stations being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Stations including Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Alwar, Bikaner and Abu Road have either been completed or are witnessing fast-paced development, he said. Earlier, Vaishnaw inaugurated a state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology and Semiconductor research at Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur. He also virtually inaugurated a 20-kW Akashvani FM transmitter at Ramgarh in Jaisalmer from Akashvani Jaipur. Meanwhile, the Congress rejected Vaishnaw's claims, saying that it introduced key welfare measures and established IITs. State Congress general secretary Swarnim Chaturvedi said, "Modi government lacks vision. It has made major policy mistakes such as demonetisation and the implementation of GST. Today, other countries are dictating terms to us, something never seen before. Due to the absence of a clear vision, the country is facing serious economic and diplomatic challenges."...