Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Beltangady (ANK)
Mangaluru/Beltangady, Oct 29: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a veiled but scathing attack on the Congress over corruption in development funds, asking which was the "hand" that reduced every rupee to 15 paise before reaching its beneficiary.
Addressing a public rally in Ujjire near Dharmasthala, a temple town in Dakshina Kannada, Modi took a dig at the opposition for its criticism of demonetisation aimed at making the economy less dependent on cash, saying even parents limit cash given to their children because it spoils them.
Without naming Rajiv Gandhi, Modi recalled that a former Prime Minister had said that from every rupee sanctioned by the government, only 15 paise reached its beneficiary in a village.
"One of the Prime Ministers had said every rupee is reduced to 15 paise when it reaches a village after getting sanctioned from Delhi. Which hand reduced the rupee?" he asked, in a sarcastic reference to the Congress election symbol.
He said this was not the case with his government that was committed to devote every rupee and every resource for the welfare of Indians so that fruits of development reached the beneficiaries without any scope of corruption.
Modi said cash currency had always been changing from stone coins, rubber coins, gold and silver coins in the economic history of the world and now it was the time for digital currency in the world. "India cannot lag behind."
Modi launched the distribution of RuPay Cards for Self-Help Group members and gave cashless cards to two women enrolled for Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. Under the scheme, 12 lakh Rupay cards will be distributed to the account holders.
He said such self-help groups, who have pledged to conduct their businesses cashlessly, have answered all those who spoke against demonetisation, questioning how was it possible to become cashless in a country where the poor and less literate have no digital connectivity.
He appreciated the efforts of Shri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural Development Project and Dr Veerendra Heggade for making it possible. “You have sown the seeds of digital India, less-cash society. I congratulate you," Modi said.
He urged people to use Bhim App and embrace cashless transactions in the "era of honesty and integrity" where there "is no place for those who cheat the system".
Dr Veerendra Heggade felicitated
“I don’t know whether I have the right to felicitate Dr Veerendra Heggade who has dedicated his life to one mission. He has been such a great inspiration. I have met him several times but his smile always has remained the same, calm and composed. Dr Veerendra Heggade spearheaded a mission and contributed immensely to the field of education, health, poor welfare, rural development and he analysed the condition of the rural areas very well and achieved great respect, name and fame,” said Modi after felicitating Heggade for the completion of 50th year of Pattadhikaari.
Modi spoke about the importance of skill development and advised other institutions to take inspiration from Dharmasthala institutions. “This institution has lead by example by all means. The world should know that this institution has upheld tradition and culture,” he said.
GeM portal and see-weed farming
Modi highlighted that there is a severe water crisis. “Today we are using water only because of our ancestors. Now it is our duty to do something for our future generation too. In 2022 we will complete 75 years of independence. By then we need to cut down urea usage up to 50% and also give priority to minor irrigation 'one drop more crop' then we can progress drastically. Along with digital India we have started an initiative of GeM (Government e-Market) portal where poorest of poor can sell their product to the government by registering online. So far, 40 lac people have joined this portal and 15 states have signed MOU. There will be a business of Rs 15 crore,” he said.
He said that BJP government has ensured that nearly Rs 57 crore has reached to the beneficiaries without any lapses in between. Though some people counter my efforts with their negativity, I will not allow this country to get destroyed, he said.
He further added that the fisherman and women will be out of work for 6 months in a year and there are plans to start sea weed farming where they can cultivate produce and gain income.
Add Tulu language in the 8th schedule of the constitution: Heggade
Pattadikari Shri Dharmastala Manjunatheswara Temple Dr D Veerendra Heggade said, “our mother tongue is Tulu. This language has still not got its due place among the other recognised languages of our country. We Tuluvas request the government of India to include Tulu language in the 8th schedule of the constitution”.
Praising Modi for bringing the government much closer to the people, Heggade said the country is feeling a sense of oneness. In the last three years, I feel a change in India. You have created Jagruth Bharath. Your efforts to build international relationship have brought respect, honour and economic prosperity to our country. We hear about your vision 2025 document, we are looking forward for a bright future, he said.
“The Rural Development Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSET) set up by us in 1982 in Ujire has today become a national programme ably managed by the government of India throughout 587 RUDSET set in different districts in the country. The programme has cumulatively helped 2.5 million youngsters which are in the line with our dream of startup India,” he said.
He further said,"Shri Kshetra Dharmastala Rural development project a NGO was established in 1982. A cadre of village level workers was deployed to SKDRDP as an extended arm of the temple to carry out the charitable activities. At present 18,000 workers are spread across the entire state of Karnataka. The self help group movement started by SKDRDP makes rural women financially independent. This has resulted in a great transformation of the community.
Heggade added that 12 lakh SHG members have got their accounts opened and RUPAY cards are issued. By June 2018, we propose to facilitate 40 lakh PMJDY accounts. SKDRDP has also adopted modern technology in SHG transaction by digitizing the member level details and their transactions. SBI has come forward to help us make the SHG transactions completely cashless by using the SBI BHIM app, he informed.
BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Minister for statistics and programme D V Sadananda Gowda, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar, MLA Vasanth Bangera and others were present.