Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ambitious Subhadra Yojana, the flagship Scheme of BJP Government here at a mega function. Governor Raghubar Das, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers and MPs were also present.
It is the largest, single women-centric scheme and is expected to cover more than 1 crore women. Prime minister also initiated the fund transfer into the bank accounts of more than 25 lakh women. Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and other MPs were also present.
Shri Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation Railway Projects worth more than Rs 2800 crore, and laid the foundation stone for National Highway Projects worth more than Rs 1000 crore.
The Prime Minister has also released the 1st installment of assistance to nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries under PMAY-G of around 14 states, took part in Grih Pravesh celebrations for 26 lakh beneficiaries of PMAY (Gramin and Urban) from across the country and handed over house keys to PMAY (Gramin and Urban) beneficiaries.
Further, he launched Awaas+ 2024 App, for survey of additional households for PMAY-G, and the Operational Guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for becoming a part of today’s event and said that an opportunity to serve the people and Lord Jagannath arises when the Lord’s blessings are showered upon.
The Prime Minister noted the prevailing festive period of Ganesh Utsav and today’s auspicious occasion of Anant Chaturdashi and Vishwakarma Puja.
The Prime Minister mentioned handing over pucca houses to more than 30 lakh families across the country from the land of Lord Jagannath today and informed that 26 lakh houses have been handed over in rural and 4 lakh houses in the urban regions.
Shri Modi recalled that this was his first visit to Odisha after the new BJP Government had come to power, in whose oath-taking ceremony he had participated.
He reminded the people that during the election campaign he had said that if a “double-engine” Government came into force, then Odisha will propel towards progress & prosperity.
Shri Modi expressed confidence that the dreams of various sections of the society ranging from villagers, downtrodden, Dalits, adivasis, women, youth, middle-class families would now be fulfilled.
He was happy that the promises made were being fulfilled at a fast pace. Listing the promises fulfilled so far, he said all the four doorways of the Sri Jagannatha Puri temple were thrown open to the public, the Ratna Bhandar of the temple was also opened.
Shri Modi added that the BJP Government was striving for the service of the people of Odisha and expressed happiness that the Government itself was going to the people to ensure their issues are resolved.
Shri Modi congratulated and praised the entire Odisha Government for this. The Prime Minister said today is special as the present government is completing 100 days today.
During this time, the Prime Minister said, major decisions have been taken for the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth and women of India.
Listing the achievements of the past 100 days, the Prime Minister highlighted the decision to build 3 crore pucca houses for the poor, the announcement of a PM package worth Rs 2 lakh crore for the youth—where the government would cover the first salary of their first job in private companies, the addition of 75,000 new seats in medical colleges and the approval to connect 25,000 villages with pucca roads.
He further informed that the budget allocation for the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has almost been doubled, a special project for the development of around 60,000 tribal villages announced, a new pension scheme for government employees introduced and income tax for professionals, business owners and entrepreneurs reduced.
In the last 100 days, the PM informed that the nation has witnessed the creation of more than 11 lakh Lakhpati Didis, major decisions have been taken for oilseed and onion farmers, import duty on oils produced abroad has been increased to encourage Indian farmers, export duty on Basmati rice has been reduced to encourage exports, MSP has been increased on crops thereby benefiting crores of farmers by about Rs 2 lakh crore.
“Numerous significant steps have been taken for everyone’s benefit in the last 100 days”, PM Modi exclaimed. Pointing out that any nation moves faster only when participation of half of its population that is the women power’s is equal,Modi said the advancement of women and their empowerment will be the key to Odisha’s development. Taking a leaf out of the folklore of Odisha, Modi said that the presence of Goddess Subhadra along with Lord Jagannath here tells us about women empowerment.
“ I bow down to all the mothers, sisters and daughters in the form of Goddess Subhadra”, exclaimed Shri Modi. The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the new BJP government has given the gift of Subhadra Yojana to the mothers and sisters of Odisha as part of their initial decisions.
He added that more than 1 crore women of Odisha will benefit from this. Further explaining, Shri Modi said that under the scheme, women will be given a total amount of Rs 50,000 which would be directly credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Remarking that Odisha has everything that is required for a developed state, Modi said that the talent of its youth, the strength of women, natural resources, opportunities for industries, immense possibilities of tourism were all present.
He stated that in the last 10 years, while being in the Centre, the Government had always looked at Odisha as a major priority. The Prime Minister added that Odisha was today getting thrice the funds from the center as compared to 10 years ago. He also expressed happiness on the implementation of schemes which earlier never saw the light of the day.
Speaking of the Ayushman Yojana, the Prime Minister underlined that the people of Odisha will also be benefited by free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh while senior citizens above 70 years of age would be treated for free up to Rs 5 lakh, irrespective of income levels.
He added that “A promise was made by Modi during the Lok Sabha elections and Modi has fulfilled his guarantee”.
The Prime Minister underlined that dalits, deprived and tribal communities living in Odisha are the biggest beneficiaries of the campaign against poverty. Be it creating a separate ministry for the welfare of the tribal community, giving the tribal community rights over their roots, forests and land, giving education and employment opportunities to tribal youth or making a tribal woman from Odisha the President of the country, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government has carried out such tasks for the first time.
PM Modi pointed out that there were many tribal areas and groups in Odisha that were deprived of development for many generations. Highlighting the long coastline of Odisha, laden with immense mineral and natural wealth, Modi remarked that these resources should be made the strength of Odisha.
He added that “In the next 5 years, we have to take Odisha’s road and rail connectivity to new heights”. Speaking of the newly inaugurated rail and road related projects today, Modi said that he had the privilege of dedicating the Lanjigarh Road-Ambodala-Doikalu railway line, Lakshmipur Road-Singaram-Tikri railway line, Dhenkanal-Sadashivpur-Hindol Road railway line to the country.
He added that work was also started today to increase connectivity from Paradip port along with laying the foundation stone of the Jaipur-Nawarangpur new railway line. Modi remarked that the new infrastructure projects will create a large number of new employment opportunities for the youth of Odisha. He added that work on Puri to Konark railway line and the high-tech ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’ will also be started soon and the modern infrastructure will open new doors of possibilities for Odisha.
The Prime Minister emphasized that today the country was celebrating ‘Hyderabad Liberation Day’. He praised the efforts of Sardar Patel for uniting the country by displaying extraordinary willpower, liberating Hyderabad by curbing the anti-India fundamentalist forces under extremely turbulent conditions prevalent at that point of time.
Shedding light on the challenges that threaten to hold India back, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of Ganesh Utsav in India’s struggle for independence, explaining that it was publicly organized by Lokmanya Tilak to rejuvenate the nation’s spirit and counter the divisive tactics of the colonial rulers. “Ganesh Utsav has become a symbol of unity and rising above discrimination and casteism”, said the Prime Minister, noting that the entire society looks united during Ganesh Utsav celebrations.
The Prime Minister cautioned against those who are trying to divide society today based on religion and caste. Pointing out the animosity among certain groups due to the Prime Minister’s participation in Ganesh Utsav celebrations and the unfortunate incident in Karnataka regarding the seizure of the idol of Lord Ganesha, Modi said that this hateful thinking and mentality of poisoning the society is extremely dangerous for the country.
He urged everyone to not let such hateful forces move forward. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence in achieving many huge milestones to take Odisha and the country to new heights of success. He assured that the pace of development will only accelerate in the times to come.