In an outreach to the tribal community ahead of elections to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched a Rs 24,000 crore scheme for the welfare of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) on the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.
Addressing a public rally at Ulihatu in Jharkhand's Khunti district, Birsa Munda's birthplace, PM Modi stressed on the need to strengthen four 'Amrit Stambha' while emphasising on empowerment of women, farmers, youth, and the middle class and poor for country's development.
"If we want to develop the nation in the next 25 years of 'Amrit Kaal', then we have to strengthen its four 'Amrit Stambha'. The four 'Amrit Stambha' of developed India are women of the country, farmers of the country, youths of the country and neo-middle class and poor people of the country. The nation will be developed when all these four pillars are developed. The amount of work which has been done in the past 10 years to develop these 'Amrit Stambha' was never done before," PM Modi said.
The scheme for the tribal community, first announced during the budget 2023-24, is aimed at developing facilities like roads, telecom connectivity, electricity, clean drinking water, sanitation, access to education and health in the inaccessible habitations of the PVTGs.
While Chhattisgarh has 30 per cent of tribal population, Madhya Pradesh has 21 per cent and their votes can be a deciding factor in the upcoming polls.
PM Modi also released Rs 18,000 crore as 15th installment of PM-Kisan scheme to eight crore farmers in Jharkhand''s Khunti.
"Today, we are celebrating the Jharkhand Foundation Day. This state was formed only because of the efforts of (former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee)," PM Modi further said.
Upon his arrival in Jharkhand, the Prime Minister was felicitated by Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda with a 'Sabai grass hat', shawl, a painting of freedom fighter Birsa Munda, and a Gond painting.
Earlier, he visited Ulihatu village, the birthplace of Birsa Munda, and paid floral tribute at the statue of the tribal icon. The Prime Minister also took part in a programme marking the celebration of third Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in Khunti. PM Modi became the first PM to visit the birthplace of Birsa Munda.
Ahead of his visit, PM Modi paid tribute to Birsa Munda on his birth anniversary and extended greetings on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. The Prime Minister took to X and said, "Respectful tribute to Lord Birsa Munda ji on his birth anniversary. Many best wishes to my family members across the country on this special occasion of Tribal Pride Day."