Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha Saturday said that people in the state should be made aware of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship schemes and projects as many are still unaware of them despite experiencing a ‘feel good’ sense of developmental activities over the past nine-and-a-half years of BJP rule at the Centre. The CM was addressing a workshop on PM Vishwakarma Yojana (scheme) organised by the BJP’s state committee at Bhagat Singh Youth Hostel on Saturday. CM Saha said that the state is already hosting a slew of rallies to celebrate the progress of the country and urged everyone, especially ‘karyakartas’ of the ruling BJP to get involved in the job. He reiterated that a “feel good” sense prevails among the people due to the transparency in PM Modi's governance as the state is marching towards development. However, Saha said that while the government is doing its job, the ruling party functionaries need to help people connect with the government. "Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Yatra has already started. As part of the rally, 16 vans have arrived in the state and they are already stationed in different villages and city council, and municipal corporation areas to spread awareness about all the flagship schemes launched by the PM," he said. “Those who are present here also have the responsibility to make things clear for the people to understand. The government is not something different. We came here as public representatives. It is your duty to fill gaps, if any," CM Saha said. The Chief Minister, who had earlier said that the ‘Modi Guarantee’ of development can alone lead the country to prosperity, on Saturday said that people need to be sensitised about the Prime Minister’s flagship schemes, which have the potential for poverty alleviation and development. "PM Modi launched many flagship programmes and he is working for its 100 per cent implementation," said Saha and called for the successful execution of all the projects for the poor. The Chief Minister said his government would start steps to provide livelihood training for the convicts released after their prison sentence under the Prime Minister Vishwakarma Yojana and said PM Modi’s flagship scheme of Rs 13,000 crore for 18 categories of people, including traditional artisans and craftsmen to enhance their skills to produce quality products, can be a game-changer for development. According to the scheme, the beneficiaries would be receiving Rs 1 lakh collateral-free enterprise development loans (first portion for repayment in 18 months) and Rs 2 lakh (second portion for repayment in 30 days). The beneficiaries would be charged a concessional rate of five per cent interest with 8 per cent interest as subvention cap to be paid by the Union Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. The central government will bear the credit guarantee fees. CM Saha said that the PM’s Vishwakarma Yojana is a major way to upskill people and realise Garib Kalyan or welfare schemes for the under-privileged. "PM Modi has taken this initiative to make the artisans self-reliant. He (PM Modi) often says that if there is overall development of all people, then the state and country will prosper," Saha said.
