Asserting that despite adverse conditions Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the courage to convert challenges into opportunities, Bharatiya Janata Party National Vice President Dr Raman Singh said that the vision by which he had extended the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana for another five months, is worth appreciable.

 

Addressing media persons through online media briefing the former Chief Minister said by giving a attentive and sensitive leadership during decisive battle against COVID-19 pandemic, PM Modi has shown the future path to his fellow countrymen. He said that as on June 2020, the government has sufficient stock of food-grains which can meet the demands of poor and needy for next 15 months.

 

Dr Raman Singh said whether it is the issue of making India self-sufficient in manufacturing protective gears and equipments to fight COVID-19 pandemic or empowering 80 crore people in the country through Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna or initiating Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign by allocating Rs 20 lakh crore which is 10 percent of country’s GDP, PM Modi has shown the world that if 130 crore strong countrymen take a firm stand then no target or objective is impossible for India.

 

The BJP National Vice President said under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojna, a beneficiary will be provided with 5kg food-grains (wheat or rice) for every unit in ration card along with 1kg chana dal per family. The scheme which was launched in April during lockdown and will continue till November 2020 and that the scheme will put a burden of Rs 1.5 lakh crore on the Central Government.

 

Answering a query raised by media-persons, Dr Singh said under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojna, from April to June, there was requirement of 104.3 lakh MT rice and 15.2 lakh MT wheat against which, 101.02 lakh MT rice and 15 lakh MT wheat were collected from states and UTs. Of the total 116.02 lakh MT food-grains thus procured, 37.02 lakh MT food grains in April, 36.49 lakh MT in May and 28.41 lakh MT in June were distributed among 74.05 crore, 72.99 crore and 56.81 crore people respectively.

 

Answering to queries regarding political appointments in Boards and Corporations and appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries, the former Chief Minister said the same Congress which had opposed the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries and doing the same after coming to power. All those decisions which the BJP had taken during its regime are being reciprocated by the ruling Congress government. Ironically all these decisions were once opposed by Congress. It seems the State Government is following the footsteps of previous BJP Government. Answering a query on GST collection and good economic conditions, Dr Singh said the GST collection has improved due to liquor sale. He said when the state is claiming that its financial condition is better than it should immediately fulfill the promises it had made to unemployed, poor and farmers. It should also start unemployment allowance at once.