Jharkhand close to PM Narendra Modi's heart: Raghubar Das

RANCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will formally launch two separate old age pension schemes for the country's farmers and small-time traders and retailers from Ranchi on September 12.
"The Prime Minister will launch Pradhan Mantri Kisaan Man Dhan Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Man-Dhan Yojana, both of which promises Rs 3,000 monthly old age pensions to farmers and small traders and retailers above 60 years of age," Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das said on Tuesday.
Last year in September, Modi had launched the Union government's ambitious healthcare scheme, the Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, from Ranchi.
Speaking to reporters at Suchana Bhawan, Das said Modi chose to inaugurate the key Union government schemes here because the BJP's national leadership considered Jharkhand close to its heart. "Jharkhand was born when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. The state has always been its priority," Das said. "More than 1.09 lakh farmers, aged between 18-40 years, have been registered for the pension scheme while registrations for small and retail trader beneficiaries began today," he added.
Besides the two insurance schemes, Modi will also lay the foundation stones for setting up 69 Eklavya Schools in Jharkhand. The schools are a part of the Union government's efforts to set up 462 such institutes across tribal-dominated states like Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha and the Northeastern states, Union tribal affairs minister Arjun Munda had said on Monday.
Through a two-way digital communication system, Modi will formally open the operations of India's second multi-modal terminal, which is built on Ganges in the state's Sahibganj district, from the state capital. The terminal - built by Inland Waterways Authority of India under Union government's Jal Marg Vikas Project - will have cargo holding capacity of 30 lakh tonnes per annum, a stockyard, parking spaces and berthing space for two vessels. "It will provide direct employment to 600 people and indirect employment to 3,000 people in the region. It will also open up industries of Jharkhand and Bihar to the global market and provide Indo-Nepal cargo connectivity through waterways route," the Centre said in a statement on Tuesday.
Modi's visit is also significant for Jharkhand as he will inaugurate the state's new assembly building and lay the foundation stone for a state secretariat. Since 2000, Jharkhand Assembly had been functioning in Lenin Hall, a rented accommodation provided by Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC). Likewise, 32 departments of the state government have been functioning in two separate accommodations (Nepal House and Project Bhawan).
The new Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha building, built at Rs 465 crore, is spread over 39 acres and will have seating arrangements for 162 legislators. Presently, state assembly has 82 members (including one nominated representative). A special assembly session has been convened on the new premises on September 13. Sunil Kumar, secretary of the state's building construction department, said the new secretariat building will be built over 68 acres and will draw investment worth Rs 1,238 crore.