New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday interacted with the beneficiaries of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa' programme. During his interaction, PM Modi said that the union government has allotted Rs 500 crore to the state in order to modernise Goa.


"The budget allocated to modernise rural infrastructure in Goa has been hiked by 5 times. The Central govt has allotted Rs 500 crore for rural infrastructure in Goa," PM Modi said, as quoted by ANI.


He further stated that the infrastructural development project in rural Goa will help to increase the wages of farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen.


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"The infrastructure being developed in Goa will also help in increasing the income of farmers, livestock farmers, and fishermen. This year, the fund for modernisation of rural infrastructure in Goa has been increased by five times as compared to earlier," PM Modi added.


While addressing the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa' programme virtually, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on behalf of the state congratulated India for successfully administering 100 crore covid-19 vaccination doses.


"We have boosted the agriculture, horticulture sector in the state. We have made sure that people get benefits of Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Kisan credit here," Sawant said.


PM Modi also lauded the development projects in Goa, saying: "When we get the support of the government and the hard work of the people, how change comes, how self-confidence comes, we all experienced this during our discussion with the beneficiaries of Swayampurna Goa."


The Atmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa scheme was launched on October 1 last year with the aim to make the villages self-reliant. This programme is inspired by the Prime Minister's clarion of Atmanirbhar Bharat.


The aim of the programme is to focus on agriculture, animal husbandry, youth and adolescent, senior citizens, women and SHGs, tourism, fisheries, natural resources, various schemes and their convergence and general-good governance.


Under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Swayampurna Goa scheme, a state government officer is appointed as “Swayampurna Mitra.” This Mitra visits a designated municipality or panchayat, interacts with people, coordinates with multiple government departments, and ensures that various government schemes and benefits are available to the eligible beneficiaries.


The scheme was kept on a halt from May 2021 because of increased covid cases and resumed in July 2021.


(With inputs from ANI)