Bhubaneswar, Sep 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday claimed that several major decisions have been taken for the welfare of the poor, farmers, youth, and women of India in the last 100 days of the third term of the NDA government.

Addressing the launching of Odisha government’s Subhadra Yojana,the largest, single women-centric scheme here, Modi 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 he said the government would cover the first salary of their first job in private companies, addition of 75,000 new seats in medical colleges and the approval to connect 25,000 villages with pucca roads.

The Prime Minister said today is special as the present government is completing 100 days adding that during this time, 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, Modi said 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.

The country he said had witnessed the creation of more than 11 lakh Lakhpati Didis during the last 100 days, and 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,

He said the MSP has been increased on crops benefiting crores of farmers by about Rs 2 lakh crore.

Stating that any nation moves faster only when the participation of half of its population that is the women's power is equal, the Prime Minister 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's empowerment.

“ I bow down to all the mothers, sisters, and daughters in the form of Goddess Subhadra”, exclaimed “ Modi.

Besides launching the ‘SUBHADRA’, the flagship Scheme of Odisha government Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated it to the nation's 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 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.

He also launched the Awaas+ 2024 App, for a 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.

He said that India is the only country in the world where skill and labour are worshipped in the form of Lord Vishwakarma.

Modi also mentioned the handing over of pucca houses to more than 30 lakh families across the country from the land of Lord Jagannath and said 26 lakh houses have been handed over in rural areas while 4 lakh houses in the urban regions.

The Prime Minister 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 would propel towards progress and prosperity.

Modi expressed confidence that the dreams of various sections of the society ranging from villagers, downtrodden, Dalits, Adivasis, women, youth, and middle-class families would now be fulfilled.

The Prime Minister said he was happy that the promises made were being fulfilled at a fast pace.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that the new BJP government in Odisha has given the gift of Subhadra Yojana to the mothers and sisters of the state as part of their initial decisions.

He said the “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is a reflection of women empowerment in India stating that the property is now being registered in the name of women.

The Prime Minister highlighted that almost 30 lakh families from across the country have performed Griha Pravesh on Tuesday while 15 lakh new beneficiaries have been given approval letters today and funds have been transferred to the bank accounts of more than 10 lakh beneficiaries in a short time of 100 days.

“We have done this auspicious work from the holy land of Odisha and a large number of poor families of Odisha are also included in this”, Modi added.

The Prime Minister said a new beginning of life is taking place for lakhs of families who got permanent houses on Tuesday.

Sharing his experience of participating in the Grih Pravesh of a tribal family earlier in the day, the Prime Minister said that he can never forget their happiness and the satisfaction on their faces.

“This experience, this feeling is worth the treasures of my entire life. This happiness as a result of change coming in the lives of the poor, Dalit, deprived, and tribal society gives me the energy to work harder”, Modi affirmed.

Stating 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, and immense possibilities of tourism were all present.

During the last 10 years, while being in the Centre, the Government has always looked at Odisha as a major priority.

The Prime Minister claimed that Odisha was today getting thrice the funds from the center as compared to 10 years ago.

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 honorable President of the country, the Prime Minister emphasized that the government has carried out such tasks for the first time.

Modi said there were many tribal areas and groups in Odisha that were deprived of development for many generations.

He said PM Janman Yojana will support the most backward among tribes and informed that 13 such tribes have been identified in Odisha.

Under the Janman Yojana, the Prime Minister explained, the government is providing the benefits of development schemes to all these communities.

A campaign is also being run to free the tribal areas from sickle cell anemia. In the last 3 months, more than 13 lakh people have been screened under this campaign, he added.

“India today is focussing on the preservation of traditional skills in an unprecedented way”, the Prime Minister said noting that the nation has had people engaging in work like blacksmiths, potters, goldsmiths, and sculptors for hundreds and thousands of years.

He said that Vishwakarma Yojana was started last year on Vishwakarma Jayanti where the government is spending Rs 13,000 crore on this scheme.

So far, 20 lakh people have registered and are being trained under this scheme. He also touched upon the financial assistance worth thousands of rupees to purchase modern tools and low-interest loans from banks without a guarantee.

Modi expressed confidence that this guarantee of health, social and economic security for the poor will become the real strength of developed India.

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.

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