Prime Minister Modi said that Madhya Pradesh has got rid of its identity of sick State under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The cities of Madhya Pradesh are setting new examples in cleanliness and development. Congratulating the State for the grain distribution programme under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, Prime Minister Modi said that a big campaign is going on in Madhya Pradesh to provide food grain to about 5 crore beneficiaries simultaneously under the scheme.
This programme has given me an opportunity to sit amongst the poor and talk to them. This gives me strength to keep doing something for the poor. It is sad that the life and livelihood of people have been affected due to excessive rains and floods in many districts of the state. The Central Government is with the people of the State. Chouhan and his entire team are engaged in all possible relief and rescue work. The Centre will also ensure all possible assistance.
Modi was virtually addressing the free ration distribution programme organized under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh as its chief guest. Prime Minister Shri Modi also had a virtual discussion with the beneficiaries of the scheme including Dilip Kumar Kori of Satna, Chandra Badan Vishwakarma of Niwari, Maya Dhurve of Hoshangabad and Rajendra Sharma of Burhanpur.
Chouhan presided over the programme. Food Minister Bisahulal Singh and Cooperatives Minister Arvind Bhadauria were also present in the programme at Minto Hall. Former Uttarakhand Minister Sudesh Joshi and Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh were also present on the stage. A short film was also screened at the event.
Under the programme, 5 kg of wheat and rice is being provided free of cost to the beneficiaries along with the regular ration provided under the National Food Security Act 2013. This foodgrain is being provided in ration bags. One crore 15 lakh families of the state are getting benefited from this food distribution. The programme was organized at all 25,435 fair price shops of the state.
Praising Madhya Pradesh, Modi said that the State Government has done commendable work in the direction of providing assistance to the farmers. Madhya Pradesh registered record production by farmers in the State and the State Government also made arrangements for procurement in record quantities at MSP. Maximum number of procurement centers in the country were set up for the purchase of wheat in Madhya Pradesh. The state government bought wheat from more than 17 lakh farmers and directly transferred Rs 25,000 crores to their accounts.
The Prime Minister said that the biggest advantage of the double engine government is that the State Government further improves the schemes of the Central Government adding strength to them. There is remarkable dynamism in the works of skill development, infrastructure creation in health sector, digital infrastructure, rail and road connectivity etc in Madhya Pradesh.