Modi showers gifts on poll-bound Gujarat

Wednesday 19th April 2017 07:36 EDT
 
 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his home state ahead of polls, and Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli in the weekend was full of mega roadshows, extravaganzas, gift showers and announcements. Modi's speeches steered evidently clear of national and international issues; focused on state-level topics.

After he arrived at Surat from Odisha on Sunday, the PM led an 11-km long mega roadshow that included around 15,000 motorcyclists, including women. Targeting his vote base; women, farmers, diamond artisans, milk cooperatives, tribal communities, and the youth, Modi showered several layoffs in Gujarat's richest city. He extended the deadline for procurement of pulses by a week, for farmers, by Central agencies at MSP rates, in the wake of a bumper crop and a delayed crop cycle this year. Addressing a huge gathering of farmers and milk cooperatives at Bajipura, near Surat, he said the extension would help them sell their produce properly.

Modi then inaugurated six Amul Dairy projects totalling £40 million. He also exhorted farmers to produce solar energy, honey, and bio-gas. Next at Botad, Saurashtra, PM praised the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh which had organised a massive Narmada Yatra asking people to raise forests along the river. Dedicating an irrigation scheme to the people in Botad, he said the region was where BJP's predecessor Jan Sangh had controlled the municipal body in 1967.

He also inaugurated the £50 million trust-run Kiran Hospital, where he asked doctors to encourage affordable generic drugs for the poor. “The NDA government has announced the National Healthcare Policy 15 years after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government's policy.” He added that the government has listed nearly 700 affordable generics for the poor, women delivering baby girls at the hospital will get free medical treatment, and their second girl baby will be paid Rs 100,000 when she turns 21.

Modi also attempted to reach out to Muslims, giving strong statements against triple talaq and calling for measures to ensure that “socially backward” in the community got benefits from affirmative action for OBCs. “There are backwards in the Muslim community too. We must reach out to backwards in the community. These welfare initiatives are for those who have been deprived of benefits of government policies,” Modi said.


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