Modi doles out massive package for urban poor

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today announced Rs 13,000 crore package for the comprehensive development of the urban poor of the state.

The package will be implemented over the next five years. Around 50 lakh urban poor of the state are likely to be benefited by the package.

Garib Samriddhi Scheme is aimed at providing basic infrastructure facilities to the urban poor as well as upgradation of infrastructure in slum areas, youth employment and affordable houses as well as health and nutrition to urban poor.

Around 16 per cent of the total population in Gujarat belongs to the category of Urban poor.

Around Rs 5,000 crore would be spent over the next five years only for providing various infrastructure facilities, including houses, roads, public transport, clean drinking water, solid waste and polluted water disposable system and sanitation, to urban poor.

While announcing the package Narendra Modi said, "The urban poor are deprived from enough employment opportunities and other basic facilities."

'Umeed', a recently launched scheme for the elimination of urban poverty would provide employment to around 3 lakh urban poor in the state over the next five years.

The package also provides for constructing 2.5 lakh households for urban poor in Gujarat, for which around Rs 2,200 crore have been earmarked for the next five years.

Various professionals like frontline staff in shopping mall, call centres, tourist guide, hotel management, airline staff and others will be provided the necessary training under this package. The package has provision of Rs 860 crore for this scheme.