On September 19, 2021, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath addressed the concluding session of the National Executive Meeting of the Bharatiya Janata Party Scheduled Caste Morcha in the Varanasi district. On this occasion, National President of Scheduled Castes Morcha, Shri Lal Singh Arya, MPs Shri Dushyant Kumar Gautam, Shri Vinod Sonkar and other dignitaries were present. The minister said that the previous governments had forgotten the interests of the Scheduled Castes and did not solve their problems. Hence, the present central and state governments are working towards the development and inclusion of the Scheduled Castes in mainstream affairs. The government has made sure that no poor person remains deprived of the government schemes.
In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission program. Under this initiative, 10 crore toilets were built in the country that benefitted 95% of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Castes population. The state government further provided toilets to 2 crores 61 lakh people in the state. In this regard, the chief minister said that the Swachh Bharat Mission has brought unprecedented improvement and change in the lives of the people.
Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 2.5 crore people in the country were given houses. Through this initiative, 42 lakh people in the state were provided houses after 2017. Apart from this, houses are also being provided to the needy of the state under Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana. Under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 80 crore people in the country are being given free ration. Free ration is being given to 15 crore people in the state. The Chief Minister said that 50 crore people in the country have been covered under the Ayushman card scheme. Under this, treatment up to Rs 5 lakh can be done free of cost.
The minister added that after his government was formed in 2017 and based on the complaints received, an investigation of 40 lakh fake ration cards was done. Hence, it became clear that the actually eligible people were not getting the benefits. By providing free ration, no one was allowed to die of hunger during the COVID-19 period. Now, the memorial places of the great men who became the voice of the Scheduled Caste society are being renovated and beautified so that the future generations of India becomes aware of these personalities and take inspiration from their works.
Further, the chief minister added that the beautification and development of the Ravidas temple at Seer Govardhan in Kashi were being done by the state government. Grand monuments are now being set up in the memory of Maharaja Suheldev in district Bahraich and Nishadraj in Shrangverpur. On the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, various programs centered around him are organized so that people can get acquainted with his personality and work. It was Ambedkar who established values and ideals in India. He worked for their interests and welfare by becoming the voice of Scheduled Castes. All citizens, provinces and parties in India respect him. A national memorial of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is being built in Lucknow.
While talking about religion, he mentioned that there is only one religion which is the national religion. Hence, by becoming a worshiper of the nation’s dharma, one who dedicates himself will be worshipped. He will be respected every step of the way in society. Yogi Adityanath added that the people and representatives of the National Executive of the Scheduled Caste Morcha should go to their respective areas and work towards connecting the society with the mainstream by means of wide public awareness. The needy must be provided with the government schemes and encouraged with the ideals of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
The minister said the BJP did not do caste politics rather they worked towards bringing harmony in the society. Earlier governments who came before BJP did nothing for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the underprivileged, and the backward. It was the BJP who implemented many public welfare schemes, realizing the dreams of Babasaheb Ambedkar. These schemes brought about a radical change in the standard of living of the underprivileged.
This story has not been edited except the headline by Aglasem and has been published as English translation of the press release received from the agency.
