RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nation’s first Health & Wellness Centre as new healthcare system --‘Ayushman Bharat’ yojana at tribal habitat Jangala in Maoist-affected Bijapur district of Bastar zone, south Chhattisgarh.
He also rolled out 'Van Dhan' yojana aimed to train and empower the tribals in collecting and processing minor forest produce.
A first training centre under Van Dhan was also started in the district.
“Bijapur is among the 115 aspirational districts identified in January this year. We gave each one a three-month to show their growth capacity and development on the given indicators. Bijapur excelled and so we decided to launch the ambitious health scheme from here on Ambedkar Jayanti", Modi said during his hour-long speech and hoped what Bijapur can achieve in 100 days the remaining aspirational districts can also do so.
In a veiled attack on the Opposition, the prime minister cited that despite Ambedkar’s Constitution having given ample scope and possibilities to grow why then over 100 districts remain backward in the country.
“Today the Bijapur is among the 115 identified backwards districts. So many years after the independence they remained backward despite the Babasaheb's Constitution having given immense opportunities and had encouraged to move forward. But still, over 100 districts are left behind in the race for growth and development. Ironically they remained backward despite immense natural resources available with them”, Modi stated.
He said now the Bijapur which had carried a tag of being backward, underdeveloped and poor district will witness fast development with newer vision under comprehensive plan.
“The first phase of Ayushman Bharat has been launched as Health & Wellness Centre (HWC). The sub-centres and primary health centres will be transformed as HWC. We will accomplish this mission by 2022 when over 1.5 lakh bigger panchayats will have such facilities. Our efforts is not just to treat the diseases but also to prevent it. Wellness centre will become like a family doctor”, the PM affirmed while addressing the rally wearing a traditional wasket presented to him by the chief minister Raman Singh
He said that after the first phase of Ayushman Bharat scheme, the next target will be to cover around 50 crore poor deprived population for their serious ailments by providing them Rs 5 lakh as financial security every year.
“We are fast working on it”, he stated.
PM interacted with the doctors, paramedical staff and health workers in the HWC at Jangala some 350 km south of Raipur. He also visited adarsh angadwadi centre, connected with children and employees of rural business process outsourcing (BPO) and other achievers
In January this year, the Niti Aayog identified 115 aspirational districts which are placed at the bottom of the list of the districts in the country. And the Aayog cited Bijapur having shown notable improvement in percentage change in key indicators during the last three months. This year the government plans to built over 1200 such facilities in different states.
Modi during his visit flagged off a passenger train through video conferencing with an all-woman staff -- railway loco pilot, assistant local pilot, station superintendent, train guard, train ticket examiner, and ticket counter in-charge are taken up by women.
If I am PM, credit goes to Ambedkar
Raipur: Modi eulogised Ambedkar and credited him for stirring up an aspiration that led him to becomie the prime minister. PM Modi who began his speech in public rally recalling Bhim Rao Ambedkar acclaimed ‘Jai Bheem’ and stated that if someone like him from the most backward community can become the prime minister the credit goes to Ambedkar who had immensely contributed to kindled hopes, expectations and aspirations among crores like me.
“Today is very important day for Indians. Raise your hands and say Jai Bheem after me. Ambedkar dedicated his life for the upliftment, self-esteem and growth of dalits, poor and deprived communities. Now these communities are becoming aware about their rights and getting ambitious with hopes and aspirations'", the PM said.
Modi advises youths, “Don’t pick up arms, beware of outsiders”
Raipur: While addressing the masses who hailed from the worst Maoist affected districts of the country, the Prime Minister Modi exhorted the youths to desist from violence and be the part of the mainstream.
“On occasion of Ambedkar jayanti I appealed the youths not to take up arms and ruin their life”. He asked the parents and the guardians of the youths not to get their children be misled by the outsiders (giving the impression the leadership among Maoist cadres are from outside the Chhattisgarh state). “See their names and surnames and you will come to know who they are. They are not residents of your state, keep themselves safe but get your children killed”, Modi said.
PM in Bijapur Highlights:
1. Launched ‘Ayushman Bharat’ and Van Dhan yojana
2. Flagged-off Rajhara-Bhanupratapur (north Bastar) passenger train through video conference Health and Wellness
Centre inaugurated
3. Launched first phase of Bharat Net project to bridge digital divide in 7 tribal dominated districts of Bastar zone
4. Inaugurated Sankalp Park - Memorial stambh in memory of 252 jawans killed during Maoist violence in Bijapur
5. Laid foundation for 1988 km PMGSY road and 11 bridges to be constructed across Bastar zone
6. Visited Bijapur hospital to launch dialysis machine
7. Inaugurated bank branches for 7 tribal villages and 21 bank ATMs for villages not having banks
8. Handed over keys to women for e-rickshaws.
9. Visited angadwadi centre, interacted with children and rural BPO workers at Jangala