Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said provision of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections among the general category will help those families realise their dreams.
“For the first time since independence, the BJP government in Centre has taken a new initiative by making amendment in the Constitution. For economically weaker sections among general caste, provision of 10% reservation has been made in educational institutions and government jobs,” said Mr. Modi addressing a massive public meeting here.
“The task has been accomplished without touching, tampering and snatching constitutional rights on of OBC, SC and ST on reservation meant,” he said.
“Sabka saath and Sabka vikas (collective efforts, inclusive growth) is only ensured when all sections of society gets equal opportunity. The rift in the society widens when there is inequality in opportunities,” said Mr. Modi.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi receive a photo momento at Bolangir in Odisha.
He said the BJP-led government in the Cente is working on five paradigms of development - education for children, employment for youth, medicine for elders, irrigation for farmers and redressing problems of people.
Highlighting efforts to eliminate corruption in welfare schemes, the PM said, “In the past four years, six crore bogus beneficiaries of government schemes have been eliminated from the system which helped plug leakages. We have managed to save Rs. 90000 crore.”
Mr. Modi reiterated that “those whose income from corrupt practices has stopped are surely angry with Modi. That’s why Modi is a thorn in their eyes. Should not I send corrupt people to jail? Shouldn't corruption stop? Should poor people not get their rights? You have blessed me to stop pilferage. I will see to it that it is stopped.”
He hit out at the Opposition saying previous governments were not sensitive towards conservation of country’s cultural heritages. “We have been making sincere efforts to bring back antique statues in past four years. Many statutes have been brought back,” he said.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi waves towards the crowd as he arrives in the public meeting at Bolangir in Odisha.
“They have not learnt their mistakes. They are now criticizing International Yoga Day , which is celebrated by the whole world. They even opposed the Statue of Unity, questioned the Shivaji Memorial and criticised statues of B. R. Ambedkar. They lost sleep when India government announced to name some Islands in name of Netaji Subash Bose in Andaman,” he said.
Mr. Modi also criticised the Odisha government for not being able to spend huge amount fund lying with the District Mineral Fund.
“We have made policy intervention so that people in resource-rich areas get benefits. The State government has spent little. The fund is lying unspent. The State government is in deep slumber. Don’t wait for elections. Elections will come and go. People need funds for development,” he said.
Mr. Modi also launched a slew of projects worth over ₹1,550 crore for Odisha. He dedicated a multi-modal logistics park at Jharsuguda, electrification of Jharsuguda-Vizianagaram and Sambalpur-Angul Railway Lines to public through video conferencing near Balangir Railway Station.
Doubling of Barapali-Dunguripali and Balangir-Deogaon Road Railway line and Bridge between Theruvali-Singapur Road Stations were also inaugurated, apart from six new post office passport seva kendras. Foundation stones were laid for preservation of some ancient monuments and historical structures.
“When connectivity improves, it impacts all other sectors positively. Odisha is a tourism rich State endowed with large tracts of forests, long coastline and places of historical and religious importance. We have been trying to conserve these places. It helps promote tourism and generate new jobs,” he said.
