The war is not only on the borders. The vast majority of country has been fighting against poverty. A population impoverished by brutal foreign rule and resultant widespread scarcity of resources has been living in a situation seeming like un-winnable battle for a long long time. The onset of Covid pandemic would have meant bengal-famine like starvation situation if not handled properly. From very beginning PM Modi’s focus has been on the inclusive development of the all sections of the society especially that of the poor and needy. Earlier today, PM Modi who was in Shimla, marking completion of eight years of the government, interacted with beneficiaries of different government schemes. He heard them appreciating government’s schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission, PM Aawas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi among others, which have proved to be huge successes with the smooth process giving no reason to face any hiccup in availing the benefits.
Putting asides the discrepancies and difficulties paved on its path, India successfully ventured out with a victorious flag in poverty alleviation and food security to the needy. Only recently, the World Bank hugely appreciated the efforts being made by the Government of India in reducing absolute poverty and robust economic growth that has led more than 90 million people escape extreme poverty with improved living standards, further highlighting PM Modi’s most fulfilling 8 years journey in “Desh Seva”.
Amid a grand welcome and thunderous applause upon reaching Shimla, Prime minister interacted with a host of beneficiaries of different government schemes. During the event, he also released the 11th installment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme, which provides a new lease of life to the farmers badly hit by Covid and other occasional natural calamities. Terming himself as the Pradhan Sevak of 130 crore people, PM Modi at the ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ released Rs 21,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmers.
During the interactions, farmers shared their experiences about the PM-Kishan Scheme also, which is a central sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India. Having become operational from 1.12.2018, the scheme gives an income support of 6,000/- per year in three equal installments to all land holding farmer families. Definition of the family for the scheme is husband, wife and minor children. State government and UT administration identify the farmer families which are eligible for support as per scheme guidelines and funds are directly transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
Shimla Accord of July 1972 was an attempt of lasting peace with a hostile neighbor which unfortunately did not yield desired results. But, today it seems the hill city Shimla has seen redemption of its reputation that the war against poverty has been given a shot in the arm.
SHARE
