Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reiterated government’s aim to ensure that all the homeless get shelter by 2022, when India celebrates 75 years of Independence.
He was speaking at a function marking the launch of several projects at Sai Mandir Complex at Shirdi in Maharashtra today. Mr Modi said, providing houses to the poorest is the first and foremost step towards poverty eradication.
The Prime Minister accused the previous Congress-led government of not being serious about poverty alleviation. He said, the previous UPA government built only 25 lakh houses for the poor in the last four years of its rule, while the present NDA government has created 1.25 crore houses in its four-year tenure.
He handed over keys to 2.5 lakh Grameen beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, PMAY. Mr Modi expressed happiness that he got the chance to fulfill their dreams on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashmi.
He interacted with some beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, from different parts of Maharashtra through video-conferencing.
The Prime Minister said government is also promoting tourism along with agriculture in Maharashtra. He said government is constantly trying to create an environment where the farmers will get fair price for their produce. He said for this, the Centre has increased the Minimum Support Price.
Mr Modi also talked about the Centre’s ‘Ayushman Bharat’ healthcare scheme, saying that one lakh people were benefited within a month of its launch. He said, under Ayushman Bharat, 50 crore poor people would get free medical treatment up to five lakh rupees per year for serious ailments.
Earlier, Mr Modi performed pooja at Sai Temple this morning. He released a silver coin to commemorate Centenary year of Shri Saibaba Samadhi. The Prime Minister also unveiled the plaque to mark the laying of foundation stone of various development works of Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust.
Prime Minister also launched a ten mega watt solar project, Darshan Queue Complex, Sri Sai Baba Knowledge Campus and Sai Shrishti, where all significant works of Sai would be digitally available for tourists.
