PMlaudsprogressinGuj, launches₹3kcrprojects
AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for multiple projects worth ₹3,050 crore in tribaldominated Khudvel in Gujarat. He said over 1.4 million people in the tribal belt will benefit from the projects meant to improve water supply and connectivity.
Modi, who was the Gujarat chief minister from 2001 to 2014, hailed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) for ensuring development in the state. “The rapid development in the state during the last two decades is the pride of Gujarat. In the last eight years, following the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, our government has put utmost emphasis on the welfare of the people in the state,” he said during an event in Navsari.
The PM also took a swipe at the previous Congress government, saying that those who were in power for a long time in the country, never took interest in the development of tribal areas as it requires hard work.
“Those who ruled the country for a long time, never took interest in the development of tribal areas as it requires hard work...there was a chief minister from this area whose own village did not have a water tank. There was a handpump that did not function properly at times. After I got an opportunity to serve as the chief minister, I got a water tank installed in his village,” he said.
“Some people would say that elections are around so we are announcing these projects. I challenge that someone can find out one week in the last 22 years when we did not carry out any development project.”
The Prime Minister’s visit comes a few months ahead of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly polls, which will be held in December 2022 to elect 182
members of the state’s Legislative Assembly.
In the 2017 elections, the BJP won nine of 27 seats reserved for scheduled tribes and Congress 15.
After defections and by-elections, both BJP and Congress have a dozen lawmakers each from the state’s tribal belt.
During the one- day visit, Modi also performed the
bhoomi pujan (groundbreaking) for 13 water supply projects for Tapi, Navsari and Surat districts worth ₹ 961 crore. He inaugurated Nal Se Jal projects worth ₹163 crore and Astol regional water supply project worth about ₹586 crore linked to Madhuban Dam.
“Due to this project, we have been able to take water to the hilly region as high as a 200storeyed building. If it was for elections, one would not put in this kind of effort for 200-300 votes. This project is a marvel in the field of engineering...the tribal people living in the hilly areas face issues of access to water. They reside in isolated areas [and] deserve access to drinking water. This is not just about water,” Modi said.
Modi said he was overwhelmed by the size of the gathering. “I take pride in getting the opportunity to serve as the chief minister of Gujarat. But never have I witnessed such a large gathering of tribals. I am proud that after leaving Gujarat, whoever took the responsibility, has done commendable work,”
Modi said while lauding Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel and state BJP chief C R Patil, who represents Navsari in Parliament.
Modi was also scheduled to inaugurate a medical college in Navsari district and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre headquarters in Ahmedabad.