PM addresses Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Grants certificates to more than 30,000 women from Self Help Groups as Krishi Sakhis
“The people of Kashi have blessed me by electing me as their representative for the third consecutive time”
“It has rarely been seen in the democratic countries of the world that an elected government returns for the third consecutive term”
“The entire agricultural system has a big role in making India the third-largest economic power in the world in the 21st century”
NEW DELHI, JUNE 18, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Kisan Samman Sammelan in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday and released the 17th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) through Direct Benefit Transfer amounting to more than Rs 20,000 crores to around 9.26 crore beneficiary farmers. During the programme, he also granted certificates to more than 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as Krishi Sakhis.
Farmers from all over the country were linked with the event through technology. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister greeted the people of Kashi on his first visit after winning the Parliamentary elections from the constituency. He thanked them for choosing him for the third consecutive time. “Now even Maa Ganga seems to have adopted me and I have turned local for Kashi”, said a grateful PM Modi.
The Prime Minister underlined that the recently concluded General Elections for the 18th Lok Sabha symbolize the vastness, capabilities, comprehensiveness and roots of India’s democracy and present it to the world. Noting that more than 64 crore people voted in these elections, the Prime Minister said that an election of such scale does not take place anywhere else, witnessing such immense participation from the citizens. Recalling his recent visit to the G7 Summit in Italy, the Prime Minister pointed out that the the number of voters in India is one and half times more than the number of voters in all G7 nations put together, and more than two and a half times that the number of voters in all the member countries of European Union.
PM Modi highlighted the high participation of women voters amounting to more than 31 crores and said that it is the highest number of women voters in the world, referring to a single nation. He added that it is close to the entire population of the USA. “The power and beauty of India’s democracy not only attracts the entire world but also leaves an impact”, Shri Modi said. The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to thank the people of Varanasi for taking part in the festival of democracy and making it a grand success. “People of Varanasi have not only elected a Member of Parliament but the Prime Minister itself”, PM Modi said expressing his gratitude.
Throwing light on the work done by the government to improve the income of fish farmers, the Prime Minister mentioned PM Matsya Sampada Yojana and the benefits of Kisan Credit Cards. He also informed about the construction of a modern fish market in Chandauli at a cost of about Rs 70 crores to assist those involved in fish farming in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojna is thriving in Varanasi. Around 40 thousand local people have registered in the scheme and 2,500 houses have already got solar panels and work is ongoing for 3,000 houses, he informed. This is providing double benefit of zero electricity bill and additional income for the beneficiary households.
Touching upon the work done in the last 10 years towards furthering connectivity in Varanasi and nearing villages, the Prime Minister mentioned the country’s first city ropeway project in Varanasi reaching its final stages, ring road connecting the cities of Ghazipur, Azamgarh and Jaunpur, completion of flyovers in Phulwaria and Chaukaghat, a new look to the Kashi, Varanasi and Cant Railway Stations, Babatpur Airport helping ease air traffic and business, development along the Ganga Ghats, new facilities in Banaras Hindu University, renovated Kunds of the city, and new systems being developed in various places in Varanasi. The Prime Minister further added that the development of sports infrastructure in Kashi and the new stadium is creating new opportunities for the youth.
Governor of Uttar Pradesh Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare hagirath Choudhary, Deputy Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak and Ministers from Government of Uttar Pradesh were present on occasion among other dignitaries.
