Port Blair, Mar. 13: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today launched the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) national portal and sanctioned credit support to one lakh entrepreneurs of disadvantaged sections of the country. The Prime Minister also addressed the program marking nationwide outreach for credit support to disadvantaged sections and interacted with beneficiaries of various Government schemes via video conferencing today.
The launching programme was live streamed at Raj Niwas, Port Blair. Admiral DK Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and Vice-Chairman, Islands Development Agency graced the programme as the guest of honour. The Lt. Governor handed over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Safai Mitras under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) and distributed NAMASTE Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries on the occasion.
Briefing about the PM-SURAJ national portal, the Chief Secretary, (I/C), A&N Administration, Shri Nikhil Kumar, IAS said, the launch of the PM-SURAJ Programme, is recognition of the invaluable contributions of our sanitation workers, who tirelessly uphold the cleanliness and hygiene of our nation. They are the unsung heroes who deserve our utmost respect and support. The Scheme stands as an encouragement of hope for these dedicated individuals. The collaborative effort between the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs represents a significant step towards enhancing the safety and working condition of the sanitation workers, he said.
The Chief Secretary, (I/C), further mentioned that through robust training programs and the promotion of safe and mechanized cleaning practices, the PM SURAJ programme aims to uplift the lives of disadvantaged section across the country. The provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and the distribution of NAMASTE Ayushman Cards to beneficiaries in Port Blair are evidence to the Government's commitment to their wellbeing and safety, he added. He further remarked that today, as part of the PM-SURAJ Programme launch, 35 beneficiaries have been identified by the Municipal Council of Port Blair. Among them, 3 individuals have been chosen to receive NAMASTE Ayushman Cards, symbolizing the collective effort to provide accessible, affordable and high-quality healthcare.
Welcoming the Lt. Governor, A&N Islands and others present on the occasion, the Secretary, Social Welfare, Shri L. Kumar said that the PM SURAJ- (Pradhan Mantri-Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan) is a Nationwide Outreach Programme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment covering 526 districts for extending credit support for the economic empowerment of socially disadvantaged sections of the society.