12-Aug-2022: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the National Conference of Rural Co-operative Banks in New Delhi today

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the National Conference of Rural Co-operative Banks in New Delhi today. Shri Amit Shah also presented awards to outstanding State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks and Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). Several dignitaries including the Minister of State for Cooperation, Shri B.L. Verma were present on the occasion.

 Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amit Shah said national conferences  help create a common thrust area between PACS and cooperative banks running on the principle of co-operation in different areas, and the cooperative movement will only expand when everyone's thrust area will be common. He said many banks, District Cooperative Banks and PACS are working in different ways on the basis of cooperative principle in different sectors. If their thrust area is not common in trying to expand the cooperative sector and also its reach and to increase farmers’ prosperity and that of the agriculture sector and the Nation, then proper results will not be visible.

The Union Minister of Cooperation, said the cooperative movement in India has many achievements to its credit during its almost 120 years old history. He said in some States the cooperative movement has progressed in every field, in some other States the cooperative movement is struggling while in yet in some other States the cooperative movement has remained only in the books. If the cooperative movement is to develop uniformly and increase its scope, then a different strategy will have to be devised. Shri Shah said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has taken a very important decision by creating the Ministry of Cooperation. He said keeping in mind the cooperative picture of the entire country, the Ministry of Cooperation can do much by taking the States along in the spirit of cooperatives.

Shri Amit Shah said along with strengthening the agriculture credit framework, it also needs to be reformed. There is need to work on taking cooperatives to every sector and agricultural credit should only be available through this. Today Shri Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister and there can be no better time than now to expand the cooperative sector and make it prosperous. Shri Shah said the vision of the Prime Minister is to bring inclusive economic growth by involving the poorest person and the economic development of the poorest person and this can only be undertaken by the cooperative sector.

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said there are about 8.5 lakh cooperative societies in the country, out of which there are 1.78 lakh different types of credit societies. In the field of agricultural credit, there are 34 state cooperative banks with more than 2,000 branches, 351 district cooperative banks with 14,000 branches and about 95,000 PACS. If we look at all these together, then we can see that those whole built the cooperative sector have left a strong base and there should be a resolve to build a strong structure on this foundation in the year of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Shri Amit Shah said PACS are the soul of the cooperative agricultural credit system and under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, PACS are being made more transparent and empowered by computerization and till this work is not completed, the system of agricultural credit will not work well and along with this it is also very important to increase their scope. There are three lakh panchayats in the country and out of the total 95,000 PACS, 65,000 are functioning well, yet there are about two lakh panchayats where PACS does not exist. The first task of all state and district co-operative banks should be to prepare a five-year strategy of having a PACS in every panchayat. Every district cooperative bank should have a five-year strategy on how PACS can be formed in their areas, in every panchayat and every state cooperative bank should monitor this strategy and NABARD should also confirm this strategy with its various schemes. After the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, the first plan brought by the Government of India is that PACS should be computerized, and PACS, District and State Cooperative Banks should be linked online. Computerization of PACS will automatically upgrade their human resource, prudential norms of finance will automatically be applied to PACS, audit arrangements will be automatically integrated into the accounting system and alerts will be issued automatically. Computerization can be successful only when District Cooperative Banks take it to the very bottom most level. He said many States have completed computerization, but there is no uniformity. It is very important to bring the agriculture credit system in the country under a common software. He said reforms have to start from within cooperatives and if there is improvement and transparency in their administration, then there will be no injustice done to cooperative banks or PACS.

The Union Minister of Cooperation said the scope of work of PACS will have to be increased, efforts will have to be made to bring more farmers under the purview of PACS. PACS work with the philosophy of providing finance to farmers through a humane approach, therefore there should be an effort to increasingly connect farmers with PACS.

The farmer needs finance with a humane approach. He said professionalism will also have to be brought into PACS, today there is no village where there are no educated children, where there is no computer savvy youth. We also have to strengthen the Human Resource policy for upgradation of skills of employees of PACS. Shri Shah said the government led by Shri Narendra Modi is strengthening PACS by bringing a Model By-Laws as well as making PACS multipurpose by increasing their viability. The Government of India has prepared and sent its model By-laws to the States and suggestions were sought from almost all State Cooperative Banks, District Cooperative Banks and many cooperative institutions and State governments, on which decisions will be taken in the next fortnight. The model bylaws of PACS are available on the website of the Ministry of Cooperation, has asked those gathered at the conference to study them and send suggestions to the Ministry of Cooperation. Such an initiative has been taken after a long time to ensure that all PACS have the same model By-laws. Cooperative representatives should both participate and cooperate in this initiative, only then will the By-laws become perfect. Many types of arrangements will be automatically done in these By-laws. With the introduction of these new By-laws, the PACS will not just finance agriculture, but many new areas will be opened to make them more viable. For example, gas, water distribution, PCOs, storage and FPO work can be done by PACS. By including 22 such new works in the new bylaws of PACS, the Government of India has sent them to everyone for suggestions. If these arrangements are properly undertaken, then making 3 lakh PACS viable will not be a challenge. As the PACS grow and become stronger, District and State Cooperative Banks will automatically become stronger. He said if a base of 3 lakh PACS is created, then no one can stop the cooperative sector from expanding.

Shri Amit Shah said the Government of India also has a plan to expand rural cooperative banks, which are called ‘Kheti Banks’ in many places. Today, rural cooperative banks provide direct finance to farmers and now it is being considered that rural cooperative banks can also disburse medium and long term finance through PACS. He said much good work in the field of cooperatives has taken place in the last 100 years, but that is not enough. In the year of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, there should be resolve that by doing better than what we have done in the next 100 years, the cooperative movement should be strengthened to last for years to come. There are about 13 crore members in PACS, out of which 5 crore members take loans and PACS disburse loans of over Rs 2 lakh crore every year. He said if PACS increase 5 fold, then Rs. 2 lakh crore figure can reach Rs. 10 lakh crore. The aim should be disbursal of Rs. 10 lakh crore agricultural finance through cooperatives. He said a provision for sick PACS has also been suggested to the States in the By-laws. New PACS should be created by liquidating the sick PACS. Farmers should not be deprived of the benefits of cooperatives and provision will have to be made in the By-laws and cooperative laws of States for creation of new PACS, only then will the figure of three lakh PACS be achieved.

The Union Cooperation Minister said that from 1992 to 2022 finances of cooperatives have declined and it is a matter of concern for all that agriculture finance through cooperatives is decreasing. He said that the Ministry of Cooperation has taken many initiatives. A cooperative university will be set-up, a database is being created so that it can show where the cooperative movement has room to expand. An export house which will give a good platform to export the products of various types of co-operative societies from PACS to APACS is also being envisaged. Thought is also being given to making arrangements for marketing of agricultural organic products under the brand name of Amul. Along with this, a platform is also being prepared for arranging a new type of dialogue in cooperatives. A strong communication platform will also be built from village to district and State to Delhi. Recently it has also been decided to purchase from GeM through PACS. This will facilitate transparency in PACS. A Cooperative Policy is also being drafted, on which work is in progress. Norms and a work culture should be developed to make conferences such as the one being held today result oriented. He said all stakeholders have done much for the cooperative movement so far and there is a strong foundation of cooperatives and the task of building a strong building on this foundation will be undertaken over the next 25 years from the year of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav to the Centenary of our Independence, as well as to fulfill our goal of three lakh PACS, work should begin from today.

25-Sep-2021: Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended 'National Cooperative Conference' in New Delhi today as Chief Guest

Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah attended the 'National Cooperative Conference' held in New Delhi today as the Chief Guest. On this occasion, many dignitaries associated with cooperatives welcomed the country's first Cooperation Minister, Shri Amit Shah. The Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Shri B. L. Verma, President of the International Cooperative Alliance (Global), Dr. Ariel Guarko, Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and all co-operatives including India's leading cooperatives – IFFCO, National Cooperative Federation of India, Amul, Sahakar Bharti, NAFED and KRIBHCO and many other dignitaries of the cooperatives family were also present.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation began his address to more than 2,100 members of the cooperatives family from across the country and about 6 crore people connected in the country and abroad through virtual medium, with a mention of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's policy of Antyodaya. Shri Amit Shah said that the vision of welfare of the poor and Antyodaya cannot happen without cooperatives and whenever there was talk of development in the country earlier, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay first talked about Antyodaya and today his birthday is the day to receive inspiration for lakhs and crores of workers.

Shri Amit Shah said that after 75 years of Independence and at a time when the cooperative movement was most needed, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, created the Ministry of Cooperation. He thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of crores of people of the cooperative sector across the nation for forming the Ministry of cooperation. He said it is a matter of pride for him to be the country's first Cooperation minister. Shri Shah called upon cooperative leaders and workers across the country that now the time of neglect has ended and the time of priority has started and all together shall take cooperatives forward.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that cooperatives make a very important contribution in the development of the country and this contribution is still there, but still many dimensions are yet to be reached. He said that it will have to be thought afresh, it will have to be outlined anew, the scope of our work will have to be increased, transparency will have to be brought in the work, and the cooperative movement will have to be included in the work as a nature and culture and shall have to move forward. He said that the path of development of crores of farmers, underprivileged, backward, Dalits, the poor, neglected and women of the country can be paved only through cooperatives.

Shri Amit Shah said that many people question the relevance of cooperatives and they feel that the cooperative movement has become irrelevant, but the cooperative movement is most relevant today and there is a long way to go. He said that by connecting every village with cooperatives, making every village prosperous with the mantra of prosperity from cooperation and through this making the country prosperous, this is the role of the cooperative movement.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that the word cooperative is made up of the words 'co' and 'work', cooperative is to work together, with a goal, in one direction with the fraternity. He said that maybe the strength and economic power of all of us working in the cooperative sector is less, but our numbers are so large that if we collect it through cooperatives, then a tremendous force is created, which no one can beat. Shri Shah said that now the time has come to make a new beginning in the cooperative movement with confidence. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a mantra, of prosperity from cooperation, and the cooperative sector will also give full thrust to fulfill the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s goal which he has set off a US $ 5 trillion economy. The cooperative sector will also exert its full force to fulfill this goal.

Shri Amit Shah said that the cooperative movement will also develop rural society and will also create the concept of a new social capital. He said that there are many interpretations of capital, but we are a people carrying 10,000 years of culture and the idea of ​​social capital will take our cooperative movement a long way. Shri Shah said that cooperatives have become ingrained in the nature of the people of India and cooperation is in our culture and it is not a borrowed concept, which is why the cooperative movement in India can never become irrelevant.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that he has been associated with the cooperative movement for almost 25 years, and cooperatives in the country do not wait for any circular, but when disaster such as floods take place, the village's PACS (Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies) help and provide food to the affected and also provide shelter. District PAC Sahakari Banks do not worry about their profits or dividends, but are ready to work in the field, be it famine or storm or flood. The cooperative movement has contributed in bringing our country out of many crises. Cooperative is not new to India and from 1904 till today, the cooperative has achieved many new heights, has seen many ups and downs, sometimes it has fallen, sometimes it has recovered, sometimes it has progressed, but its momentum has not stopped and it is a request to all that the momentum should not stop.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah remembered and acknowledged those luminaries who supported the cooperative movement like Madhavrao Godbole, Baikunthbhai Mehta, Tribhuvandas Patel, Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil, Yashwantrao Chavan, Dhananjayrao Gadgil, and Laxmanrao Inamdar.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that many people ask him whether the cooperative movement is still relevant today. Describing the positive aspects of the cooperative movement, he mentioned Amul of Gujarat and said that Amul was born out of the vision of Sardar Patel. He said that in 1946 the British decided that farmers would have to compulsorily give all their milk to a private company. There was an agitation against this decision in Kheda district and Sardar Patel told Tribhuvanbhai that unless there is a system to sell milk, the movement against the decision cannot be successful and it was from there that Amul started. Under the guidance of Sardar Patel, Tribhuvanbhai Patel registered two primary village milk producer societies in which 80 farmers joined and where is Amul today? In 2020-21, Amul's group turnover has crossed Rs. 53 thousand crore and 36 lakh farmer families are associated with it, and it has especially empowered women. What the biggest corporate dairy cannot do, our Amul has done. Similarly, referring to Lijjat Papad, Shri Amit Shah said that in 1959, a courageous Gujarati woman named Jaswantiben Popat started a cooperative of preparing papads with 80 women, and in 2019 her business was more thanRs.1,600 crore and exports were Rs.80 crore. Today around 45,000 women are associated with Lijjat's cooperative movement and this success story is an inspiration for women across the country. Today the country’s women have made a huge contribution in the success of Amul and Lijjat. He said that IFFCO has worked to give a new direction to the Green Revolution in the country. A society was formed in 1967 with 57 cooperatives and today it has grown by making more than 36,000 cooperative members and distributes their dividend to about 5.5 crore farmers. He said that if a large company earns money, then the biggest part of it will go to its owner, but whatever IFFCO earns, every penny will go to the 5.5 homes of thousands of farmers and this is called cooperative. Shri Amit Shah praised IFFCO for taking nanotechnology to the ground level. He expressed confidence that in the coming days, due to cooperative institutions, there will be no need to import fertilizers and manure and we will become self-reliant. Similarly, KRIBHCO is also a consortium of 9,500 societies and its share capital is about Rs. 388 crore and KRIBHCO has paid dividend of Rs.2,118 crore to shareholders in one year. He said that this list of success stories is very long who have contributed so much to the economy and development of the country by collecting capital from small people through the cooperative movement and all the profits go to the homes of small investors.

Shri Amit Shah said that much still remains to be done as cooperative can contribute in the field of seeds and there should be no need to import seeds. Calling upon successful cooperatives, Shri Shah said that if expansion is done in each area, then in 5 years there will be no such area where cooperative will not have penetration and this Ministry of Cooperation will strengthen cooperative institutions, bring transparency, modernize and computerize them and create competitive cooperatives. Shri Shah said that just as Jamwant ji made Hanuman ji realize his power, in the same way it is time to remind cooperatives of their strengths. He said that today, there are about 91% villages in the country, where some cooperative organization works, which is not the case anywhere else in the world. There are more than 8,55,000 registered cooperative societies and more than eight and a half lakh credit cooperatives, the number of non-lending cooperatives is more than 60 lakh, there are more than 17 national level cooperative unions, 33 are state level cooperative banks, there are 363 district level cooperative banks. In a way, there is one PACS for every ten villages which is a great achievement and farmer welfare can be done through these PACS. They are transparently doing the work to transfer government money to the accounts of the farmers. These PACS are the medium to make available useful things to the farmers for agriculture and it should be our goal to strengthen these PACS.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that 29% of agricultural credit distribution goes through cooperative system, 35% of fertilizer distribution is done by cooperative, about 30% produce manure, 31% of sugar is produced by government cooperative mills, 20% milk is produced and procured, procurement of 13% of wheat, 20 percent of paddy procured by cooperatives and 21% in the fisheries sector. He said that today we have a very strong platform and now the time has come, to set new goals and move forward to achieve them. He said that it is the work of all cooperative workers to build a strong multi-storey building on the platform that our predecessors in the cooperative movement have given us, and that is why the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has created the Ministry of Cooperation to give impetus to the cooperative movement.

The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation said that our success can depend on four things, resolve, clear conscience, hard work and spirit of federalism and if we include these four basic principles in our cooperative, then we can give pace to our movement. The Ministry of Cooperation, which has been created by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, aims at bringing development in rural areas and the Ministry of Cooperation will work continuously to meet the challenge of accessibility to development to every deprived in rural areas. Shri Shah said that the Prime Minister has brought about a huge change in the agriculture sector in seven years and if we talk about budgetary allocation only, then in the year 2009-10, the budget of agriculture was Rs.12000 crore, and in the year 2020-21 this budget was increased to Rs.1,34,499 crores. He said that the agriculture sector is the priority of the Narendra Modi government and it is not possible to achieve goals of the agriculture sector without cooperatives. He said that we have spoken of supporting many farmers. Swaminathan Commission came and since then there is talk that the income of farmers should increase 50% more than the cost but no one used to give. For the first time, the Narendra Modi government has worked to benefit the farmers by fixing MSP more than the cost. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Yojana, Rs.1,58,000 crores was directly transferred to 11 crore farmers of the country through DBT. A new drive to launch startups was launched, 10,000 new FPOs have been created, about Rs 6,865 crore is to be spent separately for financing, e-NAM Mandi scheme has been introduced, soil health card has been given and in all this the cooperative sector and the PACS have played an important role. Shri Amit Shah said that after studying all the things in the PACS, its implementation agency will have to be started at the village level, only then all these things will reach the bottom level.

The Union Cooperation Minister said that many people say that cooperative is a state subject, but the Ministry of Cooperation, under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, will run in cohesion with all the states and it is not in confrontation with anyone and that is why no one needs to think whether it is a state subject or a central issue. We will help all the states, take everyone along and take the movement forward. The work of taking cooperative societies to the grassroots level will be done under the aegis of the Ministry of Cooperation. We will soon bring many changes in the Act to facilitate multi-state cooperatives.

Shri Amit Shah said that in the year 2002, Atal ji had brought the cooperative policy and now in 2021-22, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will bring a new cooperative policy within some time. He said that in the 75th year of independence, in the Amrit Mahotsav, we will start formulating a new cooperative policy. We will strengthen the PACS as  65,000 PACS is a small number for six lakh villages and a target will be set to have PACS in every second village within the next 5 years and to increase this number from 65,000 to 3 lakhs, the Ministry of Cooperation will prepare a proper legal roadmap. Shri Shah said that this will be an advisory which will be sent to the states. Shri Amit Shah said that it will be ensured that all PACS are computerized in which the Government of India is also going to contribute in a big way. Such a software will also be made which will connect PACS, DCB and NABARD. The Ministry of Cooperation is also working on what can be done to convert PACS into FPO. Shri Shah said that cooperative training will be further intensified. Arrangements will be made for skill development. The role of credit societies will be further strengthened so that even the smallest person can get credit. He said that the Ministry of Cooperation will ensure priority lending by working with all the ministries to enhance the role of cooperative in all priority sector lending. On the lines of Amul, special legal management is needed for self-help groups to work by forming their own societies. Work will be done for fishermen's cooperative so that even small fishermen can take big things and their profits go directly to their bank accounts. Work will also be done for forest production by forming a tribal cooperative.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Central Government will work with all the states in the field of cooperation. Shri Shah said that transparency has to be brought in training, skill development, recruitment and elections to take the cooperative forward or else we will be outdated. He said that we have to make internal changes and introspection to give impetus to such a big decision taken by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for the cooperative sector. Shri Shah said that the Ministry of Cooperation is moving forward in the direction of setting up a Common Service Center and creating a database. Also, there is a need to create a National Cooperative Initiative and any cooperative institution should come forward for this. Shri Shah said that today there is a need to set up a National Cooperative University.

Shri Amit Shah said that he is aware of the problems and discriminatory attitude towards Urban Cooperative Banks and want to assure that no injustice will be done to this sector. He said that that is why Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given priority to cooperatives in self-reliant India. He said that we want there should be equitable and all-inclusive development, the model of development should have the power to touch all and the model of development should be able to encompass all, which is not possible without cooperatives and that is why the Ministry of Cooperation has been established.

Shri Amit Shah assured Dr. Ariel Guarko, President, International Co-operative Alliance (Global) that India's cooperative sector, India's cooperative movement, can become a platform for sharing good practices across the country. He said that you take the initiative and make the headquarter of any such organization in India which becomes the medium of cooperative good practices and good practices exchange around the world and we are ready to welcome you. Shri Shah said that as desired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi that a new chapter of development should be written in India on the basis of cooperative and we have to make cooperative a culture. He exuded confidence that the important role we play will be remembered by many generations to come.

31-May-2022: PM addresses ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ in Shimla

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed ‘Garib Kalyan Sammelan’ in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. This novel public programme marking the completion of eight years of the government led by the Prime Minister is being organized across the country at State Capitals, District Headquarters, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras. The Sammelan conceptualizes elected public representatives across the country directly interacting with the public to get feedback about the various welfare programmes being run by the government.

The Prime Minister also released the 11th installment of financial benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. This will enable the transfer of an amount of around Rs. 21,000 crore to more than 10 crore beneficiary farmer families. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of (PM-KISAN) across the country. Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shri Rajendra Arlekar, Chief Minister of Himachal Shri Jai Ram Thakur, and Union Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur were among those present on the occasion in Shimla.

Interacting with the beneficiary from Ladakh, Shri Tashi Tundup the Prime Minister talked about the arrival of tourists in Ladakh and his experience with the government schemes. The Prime Minister praised his services as an army man. Shri Tashi Tundup said that he did not face any problem in availing the benefits of schemes like PMAY, Toilets, Gas Connections, and farming-related benefits.

Smt Lalita Devi Ji from Bihar is a beneficiary of PMAY, Ujjwala, Swachh Bharat, and Jal Jeevan Mission. She informed the PM, how schemes led to her ease of living and dignified life. The Prime Minister said that with a house many things like education and marriage of the children will fall in place.

From West Tripura, Shri Pankaj Shani, the beneficiary of Ek Rashtra Ek Rashan Card, PM Garib Kalyan, and many other schemes informed that he got the benefits of many schemes like JJM, ONORC, PMAY, and electricity connection. He also informed that due to the One Nation One Ration Card he is not having any problems despite his migration from Bihar.

From Kalburgi of Karnataka Ms. Santoshi, a beneficiary of Ayushman Bharat narrated her experience with the scheme. She said that the Health and Wellness Centre and free checkups and medicines are bringing many changes in her life.  The Prime Minister complimented her for her excellent way of communicating and joked that she should contest elections as she will be very popular.

From Mehsana Gujarat, Shri Arvind, a beneficiary of PM Mudra Yojna was elated to talk to the Prime Minister and informed that his Mandap Decoration business has led to the expansion of business and he is promoting digital payment. The Prime Minister complimented him for educating his employees about the government scheme and also for being a job creator. The Prime Minister also blessed his daughter for sporting aspirations.

At the venue, from Sirmour Himachal Pradesh Sama Devi ji a beneficiary of PMAY, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ayushman Yojana, CM Grahni Suvidha Yojna. The Prime Minister discussed her situation and her activities in farming.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister expressed his happiness to be present in Himachal on this momentous occasion. He congratulated and wished the farmers as more than 10 crore farmers have received the money in their bank accounts through the PM Kisan scheme. He expressed satisfaction that he released benefits under the PM CARES for Children Scheme on the occasion of the completion of 8 years of the Government. He expressed happiness for releasing the financial benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme nationwide from Shimla. He thanked the people for giving him the opportunity to serve 130 crore citizens.

The Prime Minister also conveyed his satisfaction on marking 8 years by taking up the responsibility of the children who lost both their parents to the Corona pandemic through PM CARES for Children yesterday. He said that the suggestion to be in Himachal for this occasion was accepted by him with promptness as the State has been his Karm Bhoomi. The Prime Minister said that he always sees himself as a member of the family of 130 crore citizens and not as a Prime Minister. Only when he signs a file does he take the responsibility of the Prime Minister. As soon as that moment gets over, he said “I no longer remain Prime Minister and become the member of your family and Pradhan Sevak of the 130 countrymen. If I am able to do anything for the country, it is only because of the blessings and good wishes of 130 crore countrymen.” An emotional Prime Minister said, “Getting connected with the hopes and aspirations of my family of 130 crore citizens, this family is all I have, you people are everything in my life and this life too is for you.”  The Prime Minister said as the government is completing its eight years, he repeated his resolve again that he will do whatever he can, for the welfare of everyone, for the honour of every Indian, for the security of every Indian, and for the prosperity of every Indian for them to get a life of happiness and peace.

The Prime Minister lamented that before 2014, the earlier government had considered corruption as an essential part of the system, then instead of fighting corruption, the government had succumbed to it, then the country was watching that the money for schemes was looted before reaching the needy. He added that today due to the trinity of Jan Dhan-Aadhaar and Mobile (JAM), the money is reaching the beneficiary directly in their Jan Dhan bank accounts. Earlier there was a compulsion to suffer smoke in the kitchen, today there is a facility to get LPG cylinders from the Ujjwala scheme. Earlier there was the shame of open defecation now poor have the dignity of toilets. Earlier there was helplessness to raise money for treatment, today every poor has the support of Ayushman Bharat. Earlier there was a fear of triple talaq, now there is the courage to fight for one’s rights.

The Prime Minister noted that the welfare schemes, good governance, and welfare of the poor (Seva Sushasan aur Gareeb Kalyan)  have changed the meaning of government for the people. Now the government is working for the people. Be it PM housing schemes, scholarships, or pension schemes, with the help of technology, the scope of corruption has been minimized. He said that the Government is trying to give a permanent solution to the problems which were earlier assumed to be permanent. He said Direct Benefit Transfer put an end to the injustice of pilferage and leakage by removing 9 crore fake names from the benefit rolls.

The Prime Minister said when the daily struggle of the poor has reduced when he is empowered, then he gets involved with new energy to remove his poverty. With this thinking, our government started empowering the poor from day one. We tried to reduce every single worry in his life, he added. “I can say with pride that almost every family of the country is benefitting from one or the other scheme”, he said.

Noting the contribution of every family of Himachal  to the armed forces the Prime Minister said it is this government that implemented One Rank One Pension after waiting for four decades and gave arrears to the ex-servicemen. Every family of Himachal has benefited a lot. Vote bank politics has happened in our country for decades and has done a lot of damage to the country. He said we are working to build a new India, not a vote bank.

The Prime Minister said we have taken the initiative to make 100% benefit reach 100% of the beneficiaries. He said the Government has taken a pledge for reaching the saturation of the beneficiaries. 100% empowerment means ending discrimination, eliminating recommendations, and ending appeasement. 100% empowerment means that every poor gets full benefits from government schemes.

Commenting on the growing stature of the country The Prime Minister said today, India does not extend a hand of friendship in compulsion but extends a helping hand. Even during the Corona period, we have sent medicines, and vaccines to more than 150 countries, he added.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to work for the bright future of the coming generations, for the bright India of the 21st century. An India whose identity is not deprivation but modernity. No goal is impossible in front of our capability. He added that today India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Record foreign investment is happening in India today, today India is also creating records in exports. “All should come forward and play our part in the journey of progress of our country”, he concluded.