Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2021, interacted with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Madhya Pradesh (MP) via video conferencing. An intensive campaign to create more awareness about the scheme is being conducted by the state government so that no eligible person is left out. The state is celebrating August 7, 2021, as Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Day. Governor and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh were present on the occasion. About 5 crore beneficiaries are getting the benefit of the scheme in Madhya Pradesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Modi started with the rains and flood situation in Madhya Pradesh that has impacted lives and livelihood in the state. He assured that, in this difficult hour, The Government of India and entire country is standing with them.
Referring to Corona pandemic as once in a century calamity, the PM said that entire nation stood as one to fight against the challenge. He reiterated that, in the strategy for dealing with the crisis, India accorded the highest priority to the poor. From the very first day itself, attention was paid to food and employment of the poor and labourers. Not only more than 80 crore citizens are getting free ration but more than 8 crore poor families got free gas cylinder. Rs 30,000 crore were directly transferred to the Jan-Dhan accounts of more than 20 crore women. Similarly, thousands of crore rupees were transferred to the accounts of laborers and farmer. He also informed about thousands of crore rupees will be transferred into the bank accounts about 10-11 crore farmer families on August 9, 2021 , according to a PIB release.
Referring to the recent landmark of administering 50 crore vaccine doses, Modi mentioned that India is vaccinating population equal to many countries of the world in just a week. “ This is new capability of new India, India which is becoming Aatmnirbhar,” he said. He said this vaccine is both safe and effective and called for accelerating the vaccination further.
The Prime Minister lauded the state government for record MSP purchase. Madhya Pradesh, this year, purchased wheat from more than 17 lakh farmers and Rs 25,000 crore rupees were directly deposited into their account. The state established maximum number of wheat purchase centres this year. In ‘Double-Engine governments’, state governments supplement and improve the schemes of the central government and increase their power. Under the leadership of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh has shed the image of BIMARU state long ago, said the Prime Minister.
Talking about the rapid delivery in government schemes in the present regime, Modi pointed out the aberration in the earlier government systems. He said that they used to ask question about the poor and used to reply themselves without taking beneficiaries into the consideration. It was thought that that the poor people have no use for facilities like bank accounts, road, gas connection, toilet, piped water, loans. This false narrative kept the poor deprived for a very long time.
The PM said like poor people, the present sleadership has also come up through difficult circumstances and understand the situation. In the recent years, real and meaningful efforts are being made to strengthen and empower the poor. Today roads are reaching every village, new employment opportunities are emerging, access to markets have become easy for farmers, and the poor is able to reach hospital in time in the event of illness.
On the National Handloom Day today, the PM recalled that in 1905, on August 7, Swadeshi Movement was launched. He emphasised that a big campaign to empower the rural, poor and tribal sections is underway in the country and this campaign is to encourage and promote our handicraft, handloom, workmanship in textiles. This is a movement to get vocal for local and with this feeling National Handloom Day is celebrated, he said. Referring to Khadi, he said that Khadi that was forgotten has emerged as a vibrant brand today.
While Concluding, the Prime Minister cautioned against forgetting about Corona during festivals. He strongly emphasised the need for stopping the third wave of the pandemic and asked the people to follow all the measures of precaution. The Prime Minister had recently interacted with PMGKAY beneficiaries in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh also.