Pro-rural push on govt agenda

To connect with villages to highlight two years' achievements

To commemorate two years of its rule, the Narendra Modi government is planning to penetrate deep into the hinterland, rural areas and Tier-2 towns with a balance sheet of its achievements.

Officials said though much of the plan is still in the works, the thrust is to take the message to the grassroots. The rural engagement programme might not be limited to two-year celebrations but become a regular affair, officials added.

Ministers and party leaders have been told to travel across the country to make the common man aware of the policies and programmes undertaken by the government in the past two years.

“Unlike in the past (celebrations on the completion of 100 days and one year of the Modi government), the focus this time seems to be more on spreading the message across the country,” said an official.

He said a high-powered team of senior ministers might also be constituted to plan the event.

Instead of the usual Delhi-centric press conferences, ministers and leaders will hold such conferences in small towns and cities. The 2016-17 Budget, which the government has termed as pro-poor and pro-rural, will act as a reference point for the ministers.

“The programmes announced in the Budget, such as gas connections for the poor and digital literacy mission for rural India will all be highlighted as being pro-poor achievements of this government,” the official explained.

Besides, officials have been asked to use social and new-age media extensively to spread the government’s message.

A new thing the Centre plans to do for its two-year celebrations is to highlight the actual change that happened on the ground, since May 2014.

For example, the campaign material will highlight the condition of foodgrains in warehouses before and after 2014. Also, how initiatives such as digitisation are making a tangible impact on the ground.

On Modi’s pet project, Swachh Bharat Mission, the official said the government wants to transform it into a national programme rather than limiting it to a few ministries and departments.

It is expected to be a continuous affair and all ministries and departments are expected to own the scheme for 15 days a month, during which they would organise events related to the mission.