Port Blair, June 5: The Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation, GoI, General (Dr.) VK Singh (Retd.), has described A&N Islands as a place where people from different parts of the country live in perfect peace and harmony. Addressing the gathering in the ‘Labharathi Sammelan’, organized to commemorate the completion of 8 years of Modi Government, by the A&N Bharatiya Janata Party in the Community Hall, Chouldari today, the Minister, who arrived here today on a three-day visit, stated that the Central Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has brought many social welfare schemes for uplifting the living conditions of the poor people. Mentioning some of the schemes viz. PM Ujjawala Yojana, Mudra Yojana, PM KISSAN, PM Awas Yojana, the Minister said these schemes have brought great relief to poor people. The aim of devising these social welfare schemes is to provide relief to the last mile beneficiaries, he said. 

The Union Minister said that Jan Dhan Yojana was a big achievement of the GoI under which many people opened accounts in banks and financial assistance were directly transferred to their accounts eliminating the role of middlemen. While urging the people who are still to open such accounts, to open their accounts in Banks, the Union Minister also urged them to enroll themselves in the Pradhan Mantri Beema Yojana to avail benefits of the scheme.

The Union Minister said that under the Garib Kalyan Yojana, 80 crore people are being provided free ration since last two years. This came as a great relief for the poor people during the pandemic. Referring to the functioning of the Central Govt., the Union Minister said now a days projects are not delayed as timelines are being fixed for a given task/project and it is ensured that the project is completed within the time limit and people at large are benefited from the project.

The Minister also directly interacted with the beneficiaries present at the venue and ascertained about how they were benefited from the social welfare schemes and what change they feel now in their lives. The Union Minister expressed happiness that the welfare schemes have been implemented here in true spirit and people were benefitted from it.

Concluding his speech, the Union Minister called upon the people to move forward with a positive approach so that not only we but our Nation also progresses at a faster pace.

In his address, the State President BJP, Shri Ajoy Bairagi informed that Garib Kalyan Yojana is effectively implemented in these Islands. He also thanked the Hon’ble Prime Minister for releasing the 11th installment of PMKISAN scheme to the beneficiaries to the tune of over Rs. 3.036 crores benefitting over 14000 farmers of A&N Islands.

Beneficiaries from the Isles, who received benefits through various Social Welfare schemes brought out by the Central Govt. shared their experiences on the occasions. They said that through these schemes their living conditions have improved to a great extent.

Beneficiaries from Diglipur, Mayabunder, Rangat and Campbell Bay attended the programme through virtual mode and shared their experiences.

Earlier, the Convener, ‘Seva Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyan’, Dr. Poonam Arora in her welcome address thanked the Minister for visiting these Islands and gracing the ‘Labharathi Sammelan’. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the State Vice President BJP, Shri Sanjay Singh.

Earlier, the Minister also flagged off ‘Vikas Teerth Rally’ (bike rally) from Flag Point which culminated at Chouldari-the venue of the ‘Labharathi Sammelan’.  

Earlier in the day, the Minister held a meeting at Welcome Hotel to review the ongoing Projects of Andaman Trunk Road (NH- 04) being carried out by the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). Senior Officials of A&N Administration & NHIDLC and Contractors were present in the meeting. Completion schedule of the Projects, difficulties and causes for delay were discussed in the meeting. The Minister instructed to expedite speedy completion of all the ongoing Projects. Progress of the ‘Major Bridge connecting Port Blair – Chatham – Bamboo Flat’ was also reviewed which is at its final stage of Detailed Project Report.