Bhubaneswar, June 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of deliberately keeping tribal communities underdeveloped and branding their regions as “red corridor” for political gains.
Addressing a public meeting to mark the first anniversary of Odisha’s BJP government, Modi said the saffron party has fulfilled the long-awaited demands of the people as the four gates of Puri Jagannath temple and its ‘Ratna Bhandar’ (treasury) have been reopened.
“The party which ruled India for decades had neglected the tribal community and used them merely for political benefits,” he said in an apparent reference to the Congress.
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He alleged that tribal-dominated regions were “intentionally left backward” during the previous regimes.
“Over 125 tribal-dominated districts in the country were affected by Maoists for years. These areas were given a bad name like ‘red corridor’. Most of these districts were declared backward, and the then governments did not take the responsibility to develop them,” Modi said.
On the other hand, Modi said that his government since some years has freed the tribal society from violence and showed them the path to development.
“The BJP government took stern action against those spreading violence and at the same time ensured uninterrupted development in tribal areas,” he said, adding that it has given dividends for which the Naxal violence is grossly contained.
“The Naxal violence is now confined to 20 districts in the country. The pace at which the actions are being taken against the Naxalites, the tribal community will soon get rid of violence. Naxalism will be eradicated from the country and this is Modi’s guarantee,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the BJP government’s priority is to fulfil the dreams of tribals, ease their lives and giving them new opportunities in life.
Stating that the Centre is spending more than Rs 1 lakh crore for tribal development, the Prime Minister said that the Union government has launched two major schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, named after the tribal icon Birsa Munda.
He said developmental works are being carried out in more than 60,000 tribal villages, including those in Odisha. The tribal villages are being provided with roads, electricity, drinking water and other facilities. As many as 40 residential schools for tribal students are under construction.
Prime Minister Modi noted that President Droupadi Murmu’s guidance was the inspiration for launching of the PM-JANMAN scheme.
Referring to the fishing community, the Prime Minister announced that the central government is setting up a special fund of Rs 25,000 crore, which will greatly benefit those living along Odisha’s coastline and generate opportunities for the youth.
He said that for the first time, a major nationwide scheme — PM Matsya Sampada Yojana — has been formulated for the welfare of fishermen. The fishermen are now receiving the benefit of the Kisan Credit Card facility as well, he said.
Modi, who completed first year of his third term in office on June 9, said that obstructing developmental projects and indulging in corruption, were the “model” of the previous Congress governments.
However, the entire country has been witnessing the development model of the BJP, he said.
“The BJP has formed governments in many states for the first time following which a new era of socio-economic development has started,” Modi said citing examples of Assam and Tripura.
He said that the situation was worse in Assam for decades when the northeastern state was witnessing violence, terrorism and instability.
However, now under the BJP rule, Assam is racing ahead in development. Similarly, the situation in Tripura, which was ruled by Left parties for decades, has also changed. There is no violence or corruption in Tripura and the state has been on the path of progress.
The PM said that Odisha too had been grappling with numerous challenges for decades when the poor and farmers were not getting their due rights as corruption and red-tapism were dominant, and infrastructure across the state was in a dire condition.
“Such challenges had become the unfortunate reality of Odisha. Over the past year, the BJP government has worked with full resolve to address these issues and this has been possible due to double-engine government (BJP government in both state and Centre). The double-engine government has given double benefit to Odisha,” Modi said.
“Today is a very special day. The first BJP government in Odisha has successfully completed one year. This anniversary is not just of the government, it is the anniversary of the establishment of good governance,” he said and dedicated the achievement to the “public service and public trust”.
He emphasised that the BJP government in Odisha has focused entirely on serving the people and building their confidence.
“The government has completed one year with good governance and public services,” he said. PTI
