Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade has answered detractors of government initiative for cashless transaction by preparing 12 lakh women members of Self Help Groups to opt for the same.
He was in temple town Dharmasthala to launch Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project’s (SKDRDP) Mother Earth initiative and witness signing of MoU between State Bank of India and SKDRDP to facilitate cashless transaction.
Many members of the Parliament had deplored government’s move to go for cashless transactions saying it would be a failure in a country where illiteracy still persists. However, Mr. Heggade through 12 lakh women members of SHGS, has answered all these criticisms, Mr. Modi said.
The Prime Minister began his address at the public meeting at Ujire, near Dharmasthala, in Kannada, starting with Namo Manjunatha and greeted people in Kannada, with special mention about women SHG members.
Currency changes with the time; it has changed from stone to paper and plastic and now it is the time to go digital. Excess cash on hand aggravates social evils, said Mr. Modi adding cashless transaction was introduced to introduce self-accountability for society.
Direct Benefit Transfer, another initiative of the government, has thus far saved ₹ 57,000 crore, which otherwise would have been swindled. “Tell me whether those who used to swindle public money would praise Modi,” he asked. “If I am there or not, I won’t allow the country to go to ruins,” the Prime Minister said adding he did not learn to live for himself from childhood.
Reduce Urea consumption
Speaking about Mother Earth initiative of SKDRDP, Mr. Modi said uncontrolled exploitation of the Earth by pouring chemicals and fertilisers has deteriorated the soil condition.
He would urge farmers in the country to reduce use of popular fertiliser, Urea, to 50% by 2022. Farmers could save considerably and the Earth too would give bountiful, he said. Similarly, every farmer should go for micro irrigation considering the water scarcity looming large over the country, he said.
Concurring with the Save Earth initiative of Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, Mr. Modi said the giver cannot go on giving and the receiver go on receiving, which results in imbalance. The environment is a gift from the forefathers and the present generation is duty bound to pass it on to the next generation.
Mr. Modi asked fishermen in the coast to examine cultivation of sea weeds during fishing holidays in Monsoon, which can bring income to them and benefit farmers as rich manure filled with water.
The Prime Minister praised Mr. Heggade and the institutions set up by him saying they are the living examples of selfless service to society. Though he might not be competent to felicitate Mr. Heggade as an individual, by virtue of his office, he felicitated the latter as a representative of countrymen. He urged universities to study pilgrim centres like Dharmasthala, which are serving people, to know their working models in different fields.
Union Ministers D.V. Sadananda Gowda and H.N. Ananth Kumar, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Belthangady MLA K. Vasantha Bangera and others were present.