Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign is helping tackle the situation caused by Covid-19 and becoming a symbol of new India. Addressing the media here on Thursday, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that various relaxations have been provided under this campaign to MSMEs to strengthen the sector. At the same time, various steps have been taken for the welfare of the poor, farmers and labourers.
Rawat said that about one and half month after announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore package by the PM, the positive results of this initiative are becoming visible. The PM’s call for ‘vocal for local and make it global’ is eliciting the support of all the citizens. The CM said, “A provision of Rs three lakh crore collateral free loan has been made for the MSME sector. A Rs 50,000 crore fund of funds has also been made for MSMEs. The standards for this sector have also been improved which will provide such enterprises the chance to expand and generate more employment opportunities. To assist the poor, farmers and labourers during the Covid-19 pandemic, the PM announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore. With this, three month advance instalments under the Kisan Samman Nidhi were deposited in the accounts of farmers. Women Jan Dhan account holders received three instalments of Rs 500 each while three gas cylinders were provided free under Ujjwala scheme to more than eight crore women. Similarly, Rs 1,000 financial assistance was also provided for the differently abled, widows and senior citizens.”
Rawat further informed that Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana provided relief to 80 crore people with free foodgrains for three months starting April. This scheme has now been extended to November. The Centre has made Rs 40,000 crore additional allocation for MNREGA. In Uttarakhand, 36,000 new job card holders have been provided work under this scheme.
The CM said that during the pandemic, the maximum improvement has been achieved in the health sector. Whereas PPE kits were not manufactured in the country when the pandemic began, now the number of kits being manufactured is so much that the nation is also exporting these. Similarly, while the nation had a limited number of ventilators in the past, now following innovations and start-ups, the number of ventilators has increased considerably and many are much more affordable too. Rawat also mentioned the Mukhyamantri Swarozgar Yojana started in Uttarakhand to facilitate self employment for the people who have returned to the state during the pandemic, the youth and women.
