BJP govt focusing on taking schemes directly to beneficiaries

Tirupati: BJP-led government at the Centre is focusing on taking the benefits of its schemes to the needy so as to ensure that the entire amount meant for them goes only to them, said Union Minister of State for Panchayat Raj, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Parshottam Rupala.

Addressing a gathering of Archakas, temple employees, Purohits and Sanskrit scholars here on Wednesday, the Union Minister said that arrangements have almost been completed covering all the Central schemes, to ensure benefit directly to the eligible beneficiaries and to see that the entire amount allocated for the scheme is properly utilised for the success of schemes, ushering in a new era for the poor in the country.

He said that with the new system developed by the NDA government, the Centre was able to allocate Rs 2 lakh crore to the panchayats which was sent to village panchayats directly irrespective of the affiliation to sarpanches to any party or group to see the development of the villages.

Similarly, under Kisan Samman Yojana, Rs 2000 crore each was deposited in the bank accounts of one crore farmers across the country towards the first installment of total Rs 6000 financial assistance to all eligible small and marginal farmers.

Another flagship programme ‘Ujawala’ initiated by Prime Minister Modi for free supply of LPG to poor families brought an end to the quota raj in which MPs were authorised to recommend LPG connections giving scope for corruption and inconvenience to the people seeking LPG facility.

He said Union Ministers were visiting the States to get suggestions and ideas for incorporating them in the Vision Document to be brought out by the party for taking up new initiatives for the all-round development of the country and economic progress of poor.

The suggestions and ideas will be shortlisted and included in the Vision Document duly along with the name of the person who gave the idea or suggestion. Besides, the campaign ‘Bharath Ke Man Ki Bath- Modi Ke Sath’ involving Ministers and MPs also intends to get feedback on the performance of Modi government.

Earlier, in the meeting, a Sanskrit Professor Nandan Bhat suggested an international level campaign for Sanskrit promotion on the lines of the one taken up by Modi for Yoga that saw UN decide to observe International Yoga Day giving a big push to the Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice Yoga.

A group of Archakas stressed on freeing temples from political interference and government control to ensure they function independently as a vibrant source of spiritual centre and promote Sanathana Dharma. They also wanted better wages, working conditions for the temple employees including priest and other staff working in the temple which they said in doldrums.

Dr G Naga Sudha Vani and other women spoke on the problems the members of Brahmin community were facing particularly in performing marriages of their children and suggested a special campaign like Swachh Bharat to change the mindset of community members to tackle the social issue that has become a major problem for the community.

BJP leaders Samanchi Sreenivas, K Ajayakumar, Kola Anand and others were present. Later, the Union Minister also participated in an interactive meeting with intellectuals from the pilgrim city.