Meet targets of central schemes in time-bound manner: PM Modi to CMs

In a marathon meeting with 15 Chief Ministers and seven Deputies of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi minced no words in reminding the state heads to meet targets of central welfare schemes, including Swachh Bharat scheme, in a time-bound manner.

On Ayushman Bharat scheme, Chief Ministers were urged to ensure that the poor receive the benefits of this initiative.

The meeting began around 10 a.m with BJP president Amit Shah chairing it while Prime Minister Modi joined in at 1 pm. It kicked-off with tributes to late prime minister and veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The ongoing Gram Swaraj project in around 45 to 48 lakhs villages was also discussed during the meeting.

The agenda of good governance and implementing pro-poor policies have been key features of the Chief Ministers' Council Meeting.

The Chief Ministers were asked to connect with people who are getting the benefits of several Central and State schemes, including, Ayushman Bharat scheme, which is expected to start from September 25.

The BJP leadership also asked its Chief Ministers to establish direct connections with the beneficiaries of the BJP government policies.

The BJP currently has 11 crore members and the top brass is of the opinion that a direct connection with beneficiaries of government schemes will be a shot in the arm for the saffron party in the run-up to 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, on the other hand, confirmed that the upcoming state elections and 2019 Lok Sabha polls were also discussed in the meeting.

Singh said that 2019 general elections will be fought under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and BJP will emerge victorious with a bigger majority than 2014.

"In the Chief Minister's Council meeting, various development works of the Centre and the states were discussed. 2019 General Elections will be fought under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and BJP will emerge victorious with a bigger majority than 2014," Singh said.

"Prime Minister Modi is set to become the Prime Minister again, the opposition will not be able to decide any candidate for themselves," he added.