Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma today participated in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra held at Tynring village under Mawryngkneng Block of East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister lauded the state government for the successful implementation of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and said that the campaign, is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness through outreach activities to achieve saturation of schemes of the Government of India, covering all tribal, rural and urban areas. He highlighted the Yatra’s objective, which is to reach out to the vulnerable sections of people who are eligible under various schemes and are yet to avail the benefits.
The Central Government has made several efforts for the development of tribal and rural society in the last nine years and brought them on the mainstream of development. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given great importance to the all-round development of the Northeastern parts of the country and has ensured that of all Government schemes the people of northeast get more benefits. The northeastern states have witnessed rapid development over the last nine years with the Government laying thrust on increasing connectivity and boosting infrastructure .The rapid pace at which the region has developed is reflective of the emphasis that the Centre has placed on increasing connectivity in the north-eastern region and the construction of highways in remote and inaccessible areas as well. From the erstwhile Look East Policy, Act East Policy has been adopted.
The Minister distributed certificates to nine beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin. Speaking on the scheme, the Minister said that the implementation of PMAY-G – housing for all scheme – has led to poor man’s dream of a house come true. The Minister highlighted the revolutionary changes that various welfare schemes of the Government like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, PM Awas Yojana (Rural), PM Ujjwala Yojana, PM Kisan Saman and Kisan Credit Card have been able to bring about in the lives of the citizens.
Speaking about the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, the Minister said the Ministry is consistently working to empower MSMEs for sustainable growth and to become compatible in the global value chain. Women from the region can avail benefits of the schemes of the Ministry as there is the provision of 33 per cent subsidy for people in the region, the Minister added.
Speaking about the new scheme launched Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana (PMVY) by the Prime Minister on 17th September, 2023, the Minister said that the Government’s aim is to uplift the standard of life of artisans and craftspeople and equip them with the technology to augment their skills for the modern market. The scheme, which covers 18 traditional trades, will further empower the beneficiaries with knowledge of modern tools, branding, marketing, digital and financial literacy skills along with credit support, increasing their productivity and enabling them to market their products more efficiently and effectively, the Minister added.
Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, India has been making rapid progress on every front and today stands as the 5th largest economy in the world, Veram said, adding that the country would transform into the world’s third largest economy too in future.
The Minister said that the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has been taken up by adopting a holistic approach with the active involvement of various Ministries and Departments of Government of India, and State Governments, to ensure the widest possible participation of all concerned for the benefit of citizens of the country and to realise the vision of developed country. He requested the public representatives, officials, and non-officials, to actively participate in the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra to create awareness among all sections of people, and to motivate them to avail the benefits.