Patiala, : To highlight the achievements of Government of India on the completion of two years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – led NDA government, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Maneka Gandhi and Minister of State for Culture and Tourism and Civil Aviation Shri Mahesh Sharma were in Patiala today. Apart from participating in two functions in the city, the two ministers also held direct interaction with media persons on various issues during a press conference.
While elaborating the achievements of the government, Shri Mahesh Sharma said that under the Mrida Swasthya Prabandhan Yojana for farmers, the previous government had spent only Rs. 36 crore during two years while the present government has spent Rs. 453 crore during the same period. While highlighting the funds provided to Punjab, the Minister said that for the 350th anniversary celebrations of Guru Gobind Singhji, Rs. 100 crore have been provided by the Ministry of Culture and 150th birth centenary of Lala Lajpat Rai is also being celebrated. During last two years, under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 17000 toilets were constructed in Punjab while Moga, Ludhiana and Bathinda districts remained on the top for implementation of the scheme. Under PM Jan-Dhan Yojana, 48,67,473 bank accounts were opened in Punjab and Rs. 1580.98 crore amount deposited in the accounts.
Mr. Mahesh Sharma further elaborated that under PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, 31,73,240 people got benefitted while 174 people got 2.2 lakh rupees as compensation in Punjab. Under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, about 5,69,402 people were benefitted in Punjab while 481 people got compensation under the scheme. In the health sector, an AIIMS level hospital will be established at Bathinda and renovation of medical colleges of Amritsar and Patiala are being undertaken, the Minister added. In Punjab, 20,000 LPG connections were provided to BPL families, Mr. Sharma said. Under PM Gram Sadak Yojana in Punjab, 1282 km new roads have been constructed.
While reacting on a question about closure of Anganwadi scheme, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said that there is no such plan, rather we have provided some benefits to Anganwadi workers such as promotion after ten years of service, uniform to all Anganwadi workers, a scheme being launched with the help of Birla Foundation and all state governments have been instructed not to misuse the services of Anganwadi workers for other works.