New Delhi : The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi today released the first instalment to 1 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY – G) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) via video conferencing. The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of PM-JANMAN on the occasion.
In his keyt note address, the Prime Minister drew attention to the festive mood in the entire nation as he mentioned Uttarayan, Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Bihu celebrations. He said that today’s occasion makes the festive period even more impactful and the interactions with the beneficiaries have transcended him into a joyous mood. “On the one hand, Diwali is being celebrated in Ayodhya, while 1 lakh people from the extremely backward tribal community are also celebrating Diwali”, the Prime Minister said as he mentioned the transfer of funds into their bank accounts for the construction of pucca homes and congratulated them on the occasion.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the beneficiaries will celebrate this year’s Diwali in their own homes. Noting the auspicious occasion of the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to become a part of such a historic occasion. PM Modi said that it is natural to remember Mata Shabri during the 11-day fasting ritual undertaken by him to honour the consecration of the Ram Temple.
The Prime Minister said that the goal of PM-JANMAN Maha Abhiyan is to benefit every member of the tribal community through government schemes. He informed that within two months, PM-JANMAN mega campaign has achieved the results that others could only dream of. Recalling the challenges during the inauguration of PM-JANMAN on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda, the Prime Minister mentioned the difficulties in taking the benefits to far-flung, remote and border areas of the country which are home to tribal communities.
He emphasized that it was the present government that took on the huge task and highlighted the challenges of contaminated water, no access to electricity, gas connections, and lack of roads and connectivity to such areas. Explaining why the scheme was called JANMAN, the Prime Minister said, “‘Jan’ means the people and ‘Mann’ means their ‘Mann Ki Baat’ or their inner voice.” He reiterated that all the wishes of the tribal communities will now be fulfilled as the government plans to spend more than Rs 23,000 crores on PM-JANMAN mega campaign.
Talking about providing pucca houses to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), the Prime Minister said that money has been transferred directly to the accounts of tribal beneficiaries. They will get 2.5 lakh rupees for a pucca house which will be a source of dignified living with electricity, gas connection, pipe water and toilet. He said that these one lakh beneficiaries are just the beginning and the government will reach each and every deserving candidate. The Prime Minister assured and asked the beneficiaries to strictly stay away from bribing anyone for these benefits.