LUCKNOW: Praising CM Yogi Adityanath for the prompt implementation of Prime Minister Awas Yojana in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that owning a house raises people’s confidence which is a key driving force of Atmanirbhar Abhiyan, the Centre’s prestigious campaign envisioning self-reliance of the country.
PM Modi was speaking through virtual medium after releasing Rs 2,691 crore to 6.1 lakh beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana-Rural (PMAY-R) in Uttar Pradesh. Of the 6.1 lakh beneficiaries, 5.3 lakh would be getting the first instalment of financial aid. The rest 80,000 would be getting the second instalment.
The PM maintained that the dream of every poor to own a house would be fulfilled through the PMAY-R scheme which was initiated five years ago. “The scheme has infused confidence amongst people of owning a house of their own,” he said, lauding the efforts of CM Yogi Adityanath in executing the scheme in the state.
"With the pace, the UP government implemented the Central government's schemes in the last four years, it has given a new identity and new heights to the state. On one side, there is action against criminals and rioters while on the other side, there has been a control on law and order in the state," the PM said. Last year, UP had topped the country in providing most number of houses under the housing scheme.
“The state was not only on track to get a number of expressways but also institutions like AIIMS,” he said, observing that the facilities were attracting the industrial sector while opening avenues for the MSMEs.
At the same time, Modi hit out at the previous SP government, accusing it of framing wrong policies which led to suffering of the poor. “Earlier, the poor did not have the confidence that the government could help in fulfilling their housing needs,” he said, recalling that though the scheme was started from Agra, the previous Akhilesh Yadav-led SP government did not send names of beneficiaries despite repeated reminders.
Reiterating that UP was the best performing state under the PMAY-R scheme, Modi said that the government did not resort to `Bhai-Bhatijawaad’ (nepotism) nor thought of any vote bank. “The idea was implemented with an aim to help the poor,” he said, adding that most houses were allotted in the name of women.
Modi said that fulfilling housing needs of the people was happening in an auspicious time of the year, just like rolling out vaccination against the Corona pandemic. He said that he was hopeful that the financial aid provided by the government would speed up construction of houses and give the much needed relief by the next winter.
Committed to fulfil housing goals: Yogi Adityanath
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath credited PM Narendra Modi for pursuing the PMAY-R scheme which has helped a number of beneficiaries get a house of their own. He emphasised that the state government was working with full dedication to fulfil the goals set by the BJP government at the Centre and the state.
Yogi said that the beneficiaries of PMAY-R scheme were also getting facilities like gas connection (under Ujjwala scheme), free power connection under (Saubhagya Scheme) and employment under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS).
The CM said that the state government was committed to provide PMAY houses without any discrimination and prejudice. In UP more than 14 lakh people have been benefited from the scheme. In naxal affected areas like Chandauli, Mirzapur and Sonbhadra, besides a grant of Rs 1.3 lakh, the government was providing Rs 12,000 for construction of toilets and 90 days of job under MNREGS. Yogi reiterated that the state government would do its bit in fulfilling Centre’s goal of `housing for all’ in the state by 2022.