How PM Modi’s 6th address to nation eyes Bihar assembly election

NEW DELHI: In his sixth address to the nation since the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced the extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till the end of November .
While PM's announcement will come as a relief to the poor across the country, in the state of Bihar, which goes to polls in the next four to five months, it may hold a special significance.
Making the announcement, the Prime Minister made a specific mention of the Chhath Puja, which is one of the most important festivals of Bihar.
Announcing the extension of the foodgrains scheme, the PM said, “In our country, there are many activities in agriculture during and after the rainy season. Other sectors do not have much activity. July also marks the beginning of the festive season. 5th July is Guru Purnima, then the month of Saawan is starting. Then 15th August is coming, Raksha Bandhan, Sri Krishna Janmashtami,Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam will follow. Further, Kati Bihu, Navratri, Durga Puja is coming, then Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath. This festive season increases necessities as well as expenditure. Keeping all these things in mind, it has been decided to extend Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana up to Diwali and Chhath Puja, till November-end.”
PM Modi specifically mentioned the Chhath Puja, which is celebrated on a grand scale by the people of Bihar across the country and the globe.
Besides the prime minister and other Union ministers, several chief ministers specifically greet the people of Bihar on Chhath.
Prime Minister Modi’s announcement would remain in force till the time Bihar elections would have been held.
The Bihar assembly election is likely to be held in October and November. The Election Commission may declare the poll schedule in August or September.
Till the poll dates are announced and the model code of conduct comes into force simultaneously, the major political parties of Bihar would go all out to woo the voters with promises.
The BJP seems to be doing its bit.
The PM said the scheme of giving free ration to 80 crore people would continue in July, August, September, October and November. “The government will provide free ration to 80 crore poor brothers-sisters for five months. Every member of the family will get five kilogram wheat or rice. Also, every family will get one kilogram whole chana per month, free of cost,” he said.
He said over Rs 90 thousand crore would be spent on the extension of PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. “If we add the expenditure of the last three months on this scheme, then it comes to around Rs 1.5 lakh crore,” he said.
The PM talked specifically about the migrant workers and farmers. The migrant workers bore the maximum brunt of the lockdown in the wake of Covid-19. Women, men, children and the old walked thousands of kilometres and for days together from their respective workplaces to reach their native homes.
In order to make the life of the migrant workers easier, Modi reiterated the implementation of ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ scheme. “The major beneficiaries of this will be those who go to other states, in search of employment,” he said.
The prime minister said the nation’s top priority during the lockdown was to ensure that no one remained hungry. “Thus, immediately after the lockdown, the government brought out the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana. Under this scheme, a package worth Rs. 1.75 lakh crore was provided for the poor.”
The PM said in the last three months, 20 crore poor households had received direct benefit transfers worth Rs 31,000 crore. “During this period, Rs 18,000 crore have been deposited in bank accounts of over 9 crore farmers. Simultaneously, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan was quickly launched for employment of shramiks (migrant workers) in rural areas. The government is spending Rs 50,000 crore on this.”
He said over 80 crore people were given free ration for three months. “It means, every member of the family was given 5 kilogram wheat or rice, free of cost. In addition, every family got one kilogram pulse per month, free of cost. In a way, over 2.5 times the population of the United States, 12 times the population of the United Kingdom and double the population of the European Union was given free ration by our government,” he said.
Narendra Modi disclosed that In the coming days, the government would further expand the economic activities and work ceaselessly for Atmanirbhar Bharat. “We all will be vocal for local.”
On June 20, the Prime Minister had launched the employment-cum-rural public works campaign Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan to empower and provide livelihood opportunities in the villages which had witnessed large-scale return of migrant workers in the wake of Covid-19 and nationwide lockdown since March 25.
The Abhiyaan was flagged off from village Telihar in Khagaria district of Bihar through video-conference. It was attended by the chief ministers of six states and various Union ministers among others.
The Congress feels these measures are just political in nature and are targetted at the forthcoming assembly election in Bihar.
Under the scheme, 25 work areas have been identified for employment in villages. These include rural housing for the poor, plantations, provision of drinking water through Jal Jeevan Mission, panchayat bhavans, community toilets, rural mandis, rural roads, other infrastructure like cattle sheds and anganwadi buildings.
The Abhiyan would also provide modern facilities in rural areas. High speed and cheap internet in every rural household were the needs of the hour to help the youth and children.