Prime minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of eight AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) projects worth around Rs 2000 crores in Solapur, Maharashtra on Friday.  Dedicating to the nation more than 90,000 houses under PMAY-Urban in Maharashtra and 15,000 houses of Raynagar Housing Society in Solapur, he also initiated distribution of the first and second instalments to 10,000 beneficiaries of PM-SVANIDHI in Maharashtra at the programme.

The beneficiaries of homes include thousands of handloom workers, vendors, power loom workers, rag pickers, Bidi workers and drivers among others.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said the nation is in a mood for bhakti with Pran Pratishtha at the Ram Temple at Ayodhya Dham on January 22. “The decade-old pain of Lord Ram’s darshan in a tent will be far out now,” he said. The PM said he is following the rules and regulations of the 11-day anushthan with complete dedication and commitment under the guidance of saints and seers. He expressed confidence in conducting the Pran Pratishtha with the blessings of all citizens.

Noting that his 11-day special ritual was initiated at Panchwati in Nashik, Maharashtra, he expressed happiness that more than one lakh families of Maharashtra are having their Grih Pravesh  in this moment of devotion. “It is a matter of great joy that these 1 lakh families will light Ram Jyoti in their pucca homes in the evening of 22nd January,” he said.

“Ram always taught us to be true to our words and promises”, Modi said expressing happiness that the resolution taken for thousands of poor from Solapur is becoming a reality. He said that the largest society under PM Awas Yojna has been inaugurated today and recalled his wish from his childhood days about living in such homes. “It gives immense satisfaction when the dreams of thousands of families are realized and their blessings become my greatest wealth,” said a teary-eyed PM.

Recalling his promise during the foundation stone laying ceremony of this project that he himself  would come to hand over the keys to their homes upon completion of the project, he said,  “Today Modi has fulfilled his guarantee. Modi’s guarantee means fulfilment of guarantee.”

The PM said that generations of those who received their homes today had to face suffering and distress due to homelessness. Expressing confidence that their chain of suffering will now break and the future generations will not face the same ordeal, he said that Ram Jyoti to be lit on January 22 will become an inspiration to ward off the darkness of poverty.

“Our government is trying from the very first day to ensure good governance in the country by following the ideals of Shri Ram and ensuring that honesty reigns in the country. It is Ram Rajya that inspired the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas,” he added.

He said that the poor were deprived of the dignity of basic amenities like pucca houses and toilets which brought attention to providing homes and toilet issues by the present government and 10 crores ‘Izzat Ghar’ and 4 crore pucca houses have been provided in a mission mode.
Making a mention of affordable urban housing and fair rent societies for migrant labourers, he said his government is making efforts to provide residences near to the place of work.

“Modi has given the guarantee of taking the benefit of the government schemes directly to the beneficiaries. In the last 10 years  more than 30 lakh crore rupees have been transferred directly to the accounts of women, farmers, youth and the poor,” he said as he added that 10 crore fake beneficiaries were weeded out using JAM trinity of Jan Dhan-Aadhar -Mobile.

“25 crore people in the country have come out of poverty in the last 9 years. This is a result of the tapasya of 10 years and true dedication towards the poor. It also empowers and inspires others to defeat poverty,” he said.

He further added that free ration scheme initiated during the coronavirus period is now being extended for 5 more years, emphasizing  that 25 crore people who have come out of poverty should not  fall back below the poverty line anytime in the future. “These 25 crore people are moving forward with the dedication to fulfil my resolve and I stand with them,” he said.

He said One Nation One Ration Card will ensure consistent supply of ration to those who are on the move.

Modi underlined that India will be included in the top three economies of the world during his government’s third term. “I have guaranteed this to the citizens and this will also be fulfilled,” said Modi highlighting the role of cities like Solapur in the economic expansion of the country and credited the double-engine government for continuously improving facilities like water and sewage in these cities.

He also noted the development work of connecting cities with good roads, railways and airways taking place at a fast pace. “Be it Sant Gyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi Marg or Sant Tukaram Palkhi Marg, work on these is also going on at a fast pace. The work of the four-lane highway between Ratnagiri, Kolhapur and Solapur will also be completed soon,” he added.

Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais, chief minister Eknath Shinde, and deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were present on the occasion.