New Delhi, June 30: With the nation entering phase 2 of the Unlock, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again addressed the nation on Tuesday.
During his 16-minute speech, he stressed on the need to ensure continued vigilance to prevent the spread of coronavirus and also announced the extension of the free ration scheme, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till the end of November.
In a televised address to the nation, PM Modi also said the government was working on a “one nation, one ration card” initiative.
Here are the key highlights from PM Modi's speech today:
- Prime Minister Modi noted that the shift of the fight against coronavirus to Unlock 2 coincides with the weather which results in several ailments. He asked everyone to take care of their health.
- He observed that due to timely decisions like lockdown, it has been possible to save the lives of lakhs of people and the death rate in the country is amongst the lowest in the world.
- However, irresponsible and negligent behaviour has been on the rise during Unlock 1, he said, adding that earlier people were more careful about usage of mask, washing hands for more than 20 seconds several times during the day and maintaining ‘do gaz doori'. He emphasized that when more being more careful is necessary, the rise of negligence is a cause of concern.
- PM Modi said that regulations need to be followed with the same seriousness as during Lockdown, especially in the containment zones. He exhorted people to spread awareness amongst those not following such rules and regulations. He said that local administration in India will need to act with the same alacrity, since no one, including the Prime Minister, is above the rule of law.
- The prime minister emphasized that provision of food to those in need during lockdown has been the foremost priority of the country. As soon as the lockdown was announced, the government brought about PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, under which a package of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for the poor was announced.
- He noted that in the last three months, Rs 31,000 crore has been transferred in the Jan Dhan accounts of almost 20 crore poor families, Rs 18,000 crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of more than 9 crore farmers and Rs 50,000 crore is being spent on PM Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, which has been started to provide employment opportunities.
- PM Modi announced that the government has decided to extend PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till Diwali and Chhath Puja, ie the scheme will continue to remain applicable from July till the end of November.
- During this five-month period, more than 80 crore people will be provided 5 kg free wheat/rice per month. Along with providing 5kg free rice/wheat to each member of a family, 1 kg free whole chana will also be provided to each family per month.
- The government will spend more than Rs 90,000 crore towards the extension of the scheme, the Prime Minister said, adding that if the amount spent towards it in the previous three months is added together, a total of almost Rs 1.5 lakh crore would be spent towards the scheme.
- PM Modi also credited and thanked the hard-working farmers and honest taxpayers for making it possible for the government to procure and distribute free foodgrains.
- He underlined that the country is moving towards the institution of ‘one nation, one ration card', which will be of immense benefit to the poor who travel to other states in search of work.
- Prime Minister said that in the coming times, the government will continue to take further steps to empower the poor and the needy. He reiterated the pledge to work towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and to be vocal for local.
