Kohima, October 6 (MExN): Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Sudershan Bhagat has maintained that the BJP is very concerned for the welfare of the North Eastern States, particularly the tribal. This is visible throughout all the previous as well as present BJP governments in centre and states and will continue in the future, he stated, while addressing BJP workers at the State party office in Kohima on October 5. Bhagat arrived in Dimapur on October 4 on a three-day visit to the state.
Highlighting that the BJP government is a peoples’ party and is genuinely determined to work for the uplift of the people all over the country, he referred to several schemes under implementation.
The BJP governments, he said, lay a lot of emphasis on the farmers. Focus is also given to tribal farmers who depend on subsistence farming, so as to enable them to take up commercial farming and enhance their earnings, the Minister added.
A press release from Jaangsillung Gonmei, general secretary (Media), BJP Nagaland further quoted Bhagat as saying that to better the society, particularly the lesser income groups, various skill development schemes have been largely implemented all over the country. Under this scheme, laws have been enacted that the minimum amount for skilled labour is Rs. 500/- per day and every labourer has a right to receive payment through their bank accounts, it was informed.
Bhagat also said special attention is given to the development of villages, for which, several schemes have been initiated and implemented mainly through the local governments.
Another important scheme, the Union Tribal Minister highlighted, was the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) to ensure that 2 crore houses are built across the nation to ensure the basic human rights of shelter. As of March 2017, 16,42,685 houses had been sanctioned and 84,000 houses built. The BJP government targets 12 lakh houses in 2017, the release said.
Other schemes pointed out were Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padao.
On the criticisms that BJP is "anti-Christian" and "anti-Naga", Bhagat said there is no truth behind all the “malicious politically fuelled propaganda charges because BJP is very much a truly secular party and respects every religion, caste and tribe to bring about a harmonious cohesive society to build a strong nation.”
To substantiate his claims, he reminded that just recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj facilitated the rescue and release of an Indian Christian priest imprisoned in Yemen by religious fundamentalists for the last one and half years, according to the release. Not only this, the government has left no stone unturned to address any genuine instances of religious and social atrocities anywhere in the country, he claimed.
“Truth always stands and actions speak louder than words. Such political propagandas concerning religions and castes only cause a disharmonious society and derail peace and progress,” Bhagat stated. “They have to be avoided but focus on building the cities, villages and towns for a better society for all citizens irrespective of religions, castes or tribes.”
He also said that the Naga issue has been under active dialogue for a lasting peace under various BJP governments of Atal Behari Vajpayee and Modi. There has been no pause which is indicative that the BJP government is not slack concerning the welfare of the Nagas, he noted.
Regarding queries from party workers about not having received benefits from the government, he said that benefits can be assured only if the party workers work hard to get party MLAs elected and thereby form the party government to receive benefits. He told the party workers not to be disheartened but work steadily in realizing these goals.
On the party organizational front, he said, to strengthen the party, every State, District, Mandal and booth level committees had been set up all over the country. The party aims to reach out to the grassroots expansively all over the country to bring about positive changes, he added.
.jpg)
.jpg)
