Varanasi: Asserting that a finally a pro-poor government is in power after several successive pro-rich governments, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the launch of environment friendly E-boats would empower the economically weaker section of boat operators of Varanasi.
In his address after launching solar powered E-boat, Prime Minister Modi said that his government is empowering the poor so that they can battle poverty and enjoy a better future.
"This government is for those who have no support," said Prime Minister Modi.
"Previous government ignored the agony of the poor and only paid heed to the grievances of the rich but we are different. Several elections have been conducted and different parties have won but nobody has paid any attention to the fact that the poor is becoming poorer," he added.
Prime Minister Modi further highlighted his ambitious banking schemes for the poor 'Jan Dhan Yojana', 'Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana' and said that his government does not make schemes to strengthen vote banks, but to strengthen the poor.
"Schemes that strengthen people are more important than the schemes that strengthen vote banks," he said.
"Through Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, we asked banks to give loans without guarantee as this country is for poor, banks are for poor," he added.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi took a ride in an e-boat at Varanasi's Assi Ghat.
These E-boats will not only reduce pollution, but will also bring down the operational costs, thereby enabling higher incomes for those who earn their livelihoods through such boats on the River Ganga.
During a hectic day in his Lok Sabha constituency, Prime Minister Modi also took a ride in an e-rickshaw at a function in Varanasi's DLW ground, where he later distributed 1,000 such rickshaws to the people.
The Prime Minister even met prominent citizens of the city at the guest house of Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) and launched the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojna (PMUY) at Ballia.
At the launch of PMUY, the Prime Minister said that he chose Balia to launch the scheme because the number of LPG's connections in Uttar Pradesh is lowest in this district.