PM Modi Affirms Decade-Long Dedication to Welfare of the Poor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Monday that the past decade has been dedicated to the welfare of the poor, emphasizing that the country’s development is only possible when various welfare schemes reach every corner, even the remotest areas. During a video conference, PM Modi released the first installment of Rs 540 crore for one lakh tribal beneficiaries under the rural housing scheme, Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN).

In his address, PM Modi highlighted the significance of uplifting the poor, deprived, and tribals, drawing parallels between the story of Lord Ram and the present situation. He invoked the example of Shabari, a tribal woman from the Ramayana, noting her role in the transformation of Lord Ram. Modi stressed that welfare is not possible without considering the welfare of the poor, deprived, and tribal communities.

The Prime Minister credited his government’s efforts in constructing over four crore permanent houses for the poor in the last decade. He pointed out that the budget for many welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes has increased fivefold, scholarships for tribal students have grown by two-and-a-half times, and more than 500 Eklavya model schools are under construction. Modi also commended President Droupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal woman head of state, for her guidance in formulating the PM-JANMAN scheme. The scheme, with a budget of approximately Rs 24,000 crore, aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) through various interventions across ministries. Modi reiterated his commitment to ensuring that no one is left out of government welfare schemes and encouraged people to avoid middlemen and bribery while accessing these programs.