In an effort to consolidate and effectively push the Modi Government-sponsored schemes in States, particularly those ruled by the BJP, party president Amit Shah on Saturday asked BJP Chief Ministers meeting here, to choose some of the 80 pro-welfare programmes, which could be implemented hundred per cent.
The meeting organised in Maharashtra Sadan witnessed Chief Ministers providing facts on the implementation status of BJP Government's flagship scheme like PM's ‘Jan-Dhan Yojana’, ‘Beti-Bachao-Beti-Padao', Mudra Yojana, Make-in-India, Start-up India, Stand -up India, insurance schemes, housing for all, 'Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan' and others in their respective States. A common threshold for these schemes and their future map ware also discussed by attending Chief Ministers.
Delivering the inaugural address in the meet attended by Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers and State presidents, Shah said the Modi Government is the first dispensation in the country which has ended the confusion that prevailed during preceding Governments whether to have an urban or a rural tilt, go for reform or stay a welfare state or promote agriculture or industry. “We have struck a balance and continued with both aspects”, said the BJP head.
The BJP chief said the Modi-led Government is the first one to provide Rs 250 thousand crore to villages. Stating that his party has ushered an era of “politics of performance”, he sought Chief Ministers to make their States an effective instrument for execution of the Centre's “pro-poor” and “good governance” agenda.
Reminding the meeting that the party rules over 51 per cent of the country's landmass and 37 per cent population, he said States could play a key role in the success of the Modi Government's welfare policies as they are responsible for executing 65 of 80 such schemes launched by it.
The CMs' meeting, which was attended by all, barring Rajasthan CM Vasundhra Raje (represented by a senior State Minister), comes days after States core committees meeting, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked party leaders to continue the fervor of nationalism and ensure that Government's welfare schemes were implemented effectively on the ground.
The party also sought to extend their reach to Dalits and expand development programmes concerning them.
Besides, the upcoming Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand and later Goa and Gujarat, the party is also seriously looking at 2019, when general elections are due.
“BJP has started in the country an era of politics of performance. The State Governments of the BJP have been re-elected time and again on the basis of performance... It is the joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments that we together build a pro-poor welfare state and change the life of the common man,” said the BJP President.
Answering questions at a Press conference, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said, “The party is now being used as a vehicle to implement development schemes with its 11 crore members and 300 MPs.” The CMs’ meeting should be welcomed, Fadnavis said and dismissed suggestion there “any panic” was involved in fashioning such a meet.
The Maharashtra Chief Minister said there was a time limit for all Central schemes and cited example for scheme for housing for all, which has set 2022 as the final year by which all countrymen would have their houses. Maharashtra, he said has set the time frame of 2019 for the same.
The Chief Ministers' meet was divided into six segments, including inaugural session, the agenda of welfare of poor, presentation by CMs of successful schemes that can be replicated in other States, presence of BJP Governments on social media, challenges and efforts to take them on and concluding ceremony.
Shah said the Modi Government has started a new period whether in terms of the country's defence or people's welfare or enhancing the nation's prestige.
“The country and the world can feel a new India,” he said while adding that States will have to play an important role in transforming the country. If we can bring out a change in States ruled by us, then a big part of the country can experience good governance,” he said.
Central Ministers Arun Jaitley, M Venkaiah Naidu, Nitin Gadkari and Sushma Swaraj attended the deliberations.
The first such meeting of BJP's CMs was held in 2010.