Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan Evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan’ (PM-SURAJ) national portal on Wednesday and sanctioned credit assistance for one lakh entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities. He also interacted with beneficiaries of various government schemes from disadvantaged groups, including Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and sanitation workers through video conferencing. PM-SURAJ national portal for credit support to disadvantaged sections embodies the Prime Minister’s commitment to prioritize the underprivileged. It is a transformative initiative, aimed at uplifting the most marginalised segments of society. The program witnessed the participation of about three lakh beneficiaries of various government schemes from disadvantaged groups who joined the program from over 470 districts across the country.
Addressing the programme marking nationwide outreach for credit support to disadvantaged sections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this occasion provides a glimpse of the Government’s commitment to prioritise the underprivileged. Mentioning transferring financial assistance worth 720 crore rupees directly into the bank accounts of one lakh beneficiaries of the disadvantaged sections, Mr Modi said that such a system of Direct Benefit Transfer was unimaginable during the previous governments. Referring to his interaction with the beneficiaries, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with how the welfare schemes are reaching the Dalits, deprived and backward communities. Mr Modi said that this makes him emotional as he is not separate from them and he sees in them his family.
On the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Prime Minister Modi said that the goal can not be achieved without the development of the deprived segments. He said, he has broken the mindset of the past and it is being ensured that facilities available to others like gas connection, bank accounts and toilets are available to Dalits, backwards, deprived and tribals. He said , the biggest beneficiaries of schemes like free ration, free medical treatment, pucca houses, toilets, and Ujjwala gas connection are the deprived segments or people living on the periphery. He said, now the government is working with the goal of saturation in these schemes.
Mr Modi added that the Government is making all possible efforts to empower the SC, ST and OBC communities. He said, the assistance provided to them by various institutions has been doubled in the last 10 years. He also informed that the government has provided almost one lakh 60 thousand crore rupees for the welfare of the SC community this year alone.
Referring to the policies for the benefit of Dalit and deprived communities, the Prime Minister said this is a testament to our commitment to provide dignity and justice to the underprivileged. He said, the campaign of development and respect for the deprived class will intensify in the coming 5 years.
The Prime Minister also distributed Ayushman health cards and PPE kits to Safai Mitras engaged in sewer and septic tanks under the National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE).
