Port Blair, June 25: The Central Govt. is committed towards the welfare of the people of A&N Islands and moving forward with the mantra given by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, that is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vishwas. The Govt. under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Modi has brought umpteen number of welfare oriented schemes for the benefit and to uplift the socio economic status of the common man, said the Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale here today. The Hon’ble Minister said that A&N Islands is a strategically located place and it is also known for its freedom struggle history. He informed that he had reviewed various schemes of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment being implemented in the Islands. He stated that the support of the Central Govt. will always be there to resolve any issues in the implementation of schemes.
The Minister further stated that the Central Govt. under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has announced that 10 lakh Govt. jobs will be provided to the youth. Under this initiative, around 75,000 youth are engaged in Govt. job every month by providing them job certificates. He urged the UT Administration to take benefit out of this job scheme so that ST, OBC and General Category students are benefitted. He further urged to take up the matter with the Central Govt. to ensure that the students of A&N Islands get job in other States too. He assured that he will take this matter with DoPT.
The Minister informed that the number of pre-matric OBC students in A&N Islands is 3651 and the number of OBC students in class 11th & 12th is 6272. He expressed his happiness that all the Islands are connected with medical facilities. He also suggested for establishing small scale enterprises for which subsidy is available in the range of 50-80% and this will pave way for employment generation in A&N Islands. The Minister said, one District Hospital is available in all the 3 district of A&N Islands and appreciated the effort of the Administration for providing specialised medical services by evacuating patients during medical emergencies by helicopter. The Minister said, there are 400 Schools, 7 Colleges, one Engineering College and one Medical College in the Islands and the annual intake of students in the Medical College is 114 and in Engineering College is 1500 students which is a matter of great pride for these Islands.
The Minister further said that the Modi Govt. started Jan Dhan Yojana in the year 2014 so that every common citizen should hold a bank account. Under this, altogether, 49 crore, 23 lakh and 50,000 Jan Dhan accounts has been opened all over the country till date while in A&N Islands, 47,200 Jan Dhan Accounts have been opened till date.
Similarly, under PM Mudra Yojana, loan amount is provided to the tune of Rs. 50000 to Rs. 10 lakh. The Prime Minister has given clear instructions that students should not be asked for any guarantee while availing loan from bank. This scheme was launched in the year 2015 and so far Rs.42 crore, 5 lakh beneficiaries have been provided loan under this scheme all over the country while in A&N Islands, 48,700 beneficiaries have been covered under this scheme. Under PM Ujjwala Yojana, gas cylinders have been provided to 9 crore, 58 lakh and 59,000 beneficiaries all over India while in A&N Islands, 13000 gas connections were provided to the beneficiaries. Under PM Awas Yojana (Grameen), 2 crore, 41 lakh, 58,000 were provided houses with toilet facilities while in A&N Islands around 1200 beneficiaries were covered under this scheme. Under the PM Awas Yojana (Urban) 75 lakh, 8000 thousand beneficiaries were provided houses in the country while in A&N Islands, 47 houses were provided to the beneficiaries.
Under Ayushman Bharat Yojana, free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to each family. The scheme which started in the year 2015 has so far covered 4 crore 42 lakh beneficiaries and Rs. 52,962 crore has been disbursed to the needy for treatment purposes in the country. Altogether, 2215 persons have benefitted under this scheme in A&N Islands and an amount of Rs.6.72 crores have been disbursed to the needy people.
Briefing about the schemes of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Minister said, 1658 Old Age Homes are functioning all over India which are run by NGOs while in A&N Islands, two Old Age Homes are being run by the A&N Administration. The total number of De-Addiction Centres all over India is 1720 while in A&N Islands, there are 3 De-Addiction Centres. Apart from this, there are two hostels, one each for Boys and Girls in A&N Islands.
The Minister further stated that the scheme devised by the Ministry is meant for all sections of the society and the eligible beneficiaries are availing the schemes. There is no discrimination in the name of caste, creed or religion and the eligible beneficiaries are availing the schemes run by the Ministry, the Minister clarified. The Minister mentioned that the export and import has gained momentum under the leadership of PM Shri Modi and it has increased manifold. Foreign countries have started investing in India. He further stated that the NH are being converted into 4 to 6 lanes and trees are planted in between the roads for maintaining greenery as well as fresh air. The Govt. is focusing more on motivating youth to start their own self-venture enterprises especially in rural areas so that they can employ atleast 100 to 200 people as there is minimal scope of job opportunity in Govt. sector. He urged, the unemployed youth should establish small industries by availing the various schemes of GoI.