Modi appeals for different approach, non-violent ways for development of backward districts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the Maoist youth to shun their guns and join the mainstream for development in which the government would protect their rights.

"I would like to ask the youth on the path of violence that the Constitution takes care of your rights. It is government's duty to protect your rights. You need not pick arms and destroy your lives," said addressing a function on the occasion of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar birth anniversary when he launched the "Ayushman Bharat" here.

Under the scheme, he inaugurated the first of the 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centre the government aims to set up by 2022 that will leverage on comprehensive primary health care for preventive, promotive and curative care.

Modi told the gathering that people behind the violent activities were from outside the state and it was they who were responsible for the death of local youths.

"None of their chiefs is from your area. They have come from outside to your state. If you read their names, surnames, you will understand who they are. They do not die. They hide safely in the jungles. They send your children in front to face the bullet. Would you leave your children behind such people?"

"The government is duty-bound to ensure school education to children and remuneration to agriculture produce," he said.

Stating that the security personnel risk their lives for smooth functioning of schools, construction of roads, Modi appealed to the people of Chhattisgarh to follow the path of development.

He also appealed to the people from the backward districts to join a mass movement with a different approach laced with information technology for the transformation.

He said over 100 districts in the country including Chattisgarh's Bijapur remained backward even after 70 years of independence.

"If the district administration, the public representatives and the people will join hands in a mass movement, then, unprecedented results can be achieved. There will be no change with the old ways. If we have new targets, we need new ways," Modi said.

He said the government was working with a different approach on the 115 backward districts, which are lebelled as "aspirational and ambitious districts".

"Each district faces its own challenges, and therefore, a different strategy is required in each case," he said.

Modi said the issue of regional imbalance can be achieved through various types of connectivity through road, railway, air and information technology.

Modi said the Dalit icon was instrumental in getting people from backward class their rights.

"A person from a backward class like me could become Prime Minister because of Dr. Babsaheb Ambedkar," he said.

"The scheme will go a long way in ending social imbalance, and ensuring social justice in the country. In the first phase of this scheme, an effort would be made to bring about a sea change in primary healthcare. Sub centres and primary health centres at 1.5 lakh places in the country would now be developed as Health and Wellness Centres," he said.

He also said the government was working on a plan to provide insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per year to 10 crore families for covering serious diseases.

Modi also inaugurated the Van Dhan Yojana, which aims at empowering tribal communities, besides dedicating the Bhanupratappur-Gudum railway line to the nation by flagging off a train between Dalli Rajhara and Bhanupratappur.

--IANS

spk/vsc/vm