Security forces are on their toes in Varanasi and Ballia ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the districts on Sunday, to address various programmes on the occasion of International labour Day.
Both the cities have turned virtually into a fortress, with commandoes from the National Security Guard (NSG) and other para-military forces having taken their position ahead of the high-profile visit. State Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav would however, not be present with the Prime Minister, but he is slated to visit Ballia on May 2 to inaugurate a sports stadium besides other projects.
Modi will first reach Ballia on Sunday morning, where he is slated to launch the 'Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojna' (PMUY) scheme under which the central government will provide five crore free lPG connections to the families living below the poverty line.
The Prime Minister's visit to Ballia, would be another move by the BJP to launch its election campaign for the 2017 assembly polls from the region.
Modi is also scheduled to address a mammoth public rally at Maldehpur village on the sides of Ganga after launching the scheme.
Under the PMUY, 5 crore free lPG connections will be provided to BPl families across the country.
Under the scheme, Rs 8000 crore have been earmarked for providing five crore lPG connections to BPl households this fiscal. The scheme provides a financial support of Rs 1,600 for each lPG connection to the BPl households. While the connection including an lPG cylinders and regulators would be given free of cost, the cost of the burner and the pipe to be supplied with the connection would be deducted from the subsidy given on the lPG cylinders in easy installments.
Several senior BJP leaders including state in-charge Om Mathur and state BJP president Keshav Prasad Maurya would be present in the Ballia public meeting. Ballia is also known as Baghi Ballia (Rebel Ballia) for its significant contribution in India's freedom struggle. During the first Independence War of India in 1857, Ballia came in picture in front of the world and Mangal Pandey was that first freedom fighter of that war who was born in village Nagwa. During the Quit India Movement of 1942 Ballia gained independence from British rule for a short period of time when the district overthrew the government and installed an independent administration under Chittu Pandey.
Meanwhile, sleuths of the Intelligence Agencies are also put on high alert in wake of the proposed visit.
Inspector General of Police (Public Grievance) Ashok Mutha Jain here said that elaborate security are in place in Balia as well as in Varanasi for PM's visit. Disclosing that a heavy police force along with jawans of the Central Para-Military Force and Provincial Armed Constabulary have already been provided to Balia, Jain claimed that four officers each of superintendent rank would be pressed in service to assist the local police in monitoring the law and order situation in both the districts. Besides, 18 Deputy SP rank officers which include two female Dy SPs, 143 sub-inspectors, 14 traffic inspectors, 3 traffic sub-inspectors, one commando company of Anti-Terrorists Squad (ATS), 5 companies of PAC along with central force have also been deployed. Jain further said four companies of National Security Guard (NSG) have been made available to local Ballia administration to facilitate security to Modi and other VVIPs visiting the district.
After remaining in Balia for about three hours, the Prime Minister will go to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi to attend four programmes. Modi will distribute e-rickshaws and e-boats during the visit. He will distribute e-boats at Assi ghat and then attend a cultural programme 'Sham-e-Banaras' at the same ghat before leaving for Delhi.
According to the officials, during his 6 hour 40 minute stay in Varanasi, PM will meet with prominent citizens at the guest house of Diesel locomotive Works (DlW) and distribute e-rickshaws to beneficiaries at the DlW ground. From DlW he will move to Gyan Pravah, a centre of cultural studies and research, in Samne Ghat area. later, he will distribute e-boats to selected boatmen at the Assi Ghat.
However, local boatmen in Varanasi are not happy with the concept of e-boat to be launched by the Prime Minsiter. They claim that these new boats will not stand before the strong current when water level of Ganga increases besides, they are also apprehensive about the plan fearing that it would uproot the boatmen from their traditional occupation.
During his visit to the city, Modi will launch country's first fleet of 11 solar battery operated e-boats at Assi Ghat. Presently, there are about 2,500 boats of all sizes and shapes operating in Ganga in Varanasi. Over 12,000 people of boatmen community are involved in this occupation. But the company which has developed the concept of e-boat claimed that they have not made new boats, but renovated old boats with battery fitting. They also claimed that they can replace all the traditional boats in one year's time.
These new e-boats are 100 per cent green as the battery is charged by solar energy. However, the boat is not fitted with solar panels. The boatman would have to bring the battery to the charging points. The medium-size e-boat can accommodate about 10 passengers at a time.