Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Apr 6: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that Food Security Bill as passed by Congress led UPA regime is going to give big relief to the poor people of the country and it has been implemented in over 50 % states of the country so far.
Mr Azad in his election campaign in Dayala Chak, Dinga Amb, Ramkote, Nagrota Gujru, Gurha Kalyal, Mandli, Billawar and Mahanpur belt of Kathua district today, sought votes from public on the basis of UPA’s people oriented policies, besides record developmental growth in the past ten years across the country.
The Union minister held series of meetings at various places and was given rousing reception by the NC-Congress workers and supporters, holding placards, flags amidst sloganeering. Even weather which tried to spoilsport couldn’t deter the enthusiasm of the people and listened heartedly to their leader known for his ‘missionary zeal and developmental mantra’.
While addressing the gatherings at various places, Mr Azad highlighted the heights achieved by the party and said, “Congress party is connected with the people at grass-roots level, which is evident after the incorporation of 73rd Amendment into Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act. He said 13 crore of the Indian population has been benefited with employment through MGNREGA.
He pointed out that 20, 000 Mega Watts power generation capacity has evolved during UPA-II which is historic and remarkable. Moreover, during the past ten years 51, 000 hospitals across the country were opened.
Referring to Food Security Bill, Mr Azad said the UPA Government has provided a big relief to the poor people of the country with the implementation of this Act. It has been implemented in over 50 % area in various states of the country. It could not be implemented in J&K as sufficient stores were not available here. Now the stores are being constructed and poor people of this state will also get full benefit of the Scheme. The poorer would get wheat at the rate of Rs 1, 2 and 3 per kg as per their category, he maintained.
Criticising BJP for its divisive politics, diverting the attention of the people from the real and genuine issues, he said UPA introduced Food Security Bill in the Parliament, which ensures two times meal to every citizen of the country and it was BJP, which created hue and cry inside and outside the Parliament against the introduction of the Bill. As now elections are on head, BJP leadership is feigning the people friendly, but their real face is no more under veil and people know well about their so-called feeble vision, said Mr Azad further adding that the BJP and other parties only know divide and rule, provoking people on basis of religious ideologies, but Congress will not let them to succeeded in their designs.
Interacting with the local people Thara Kalyal, Phinter, Dewal, Parnalla areas, Mr Azad listened to the day today local issues of residing and said that people want better education, infrastructure, water supply, health facilities and Congress is committed and has ensured at a larger extent and urged the people to shun the divisive forces, hell bent to destabilize the peace and prosperity of the nation for their petty interests.
Mr Azad was accompanied by Congress Minister of State for Cooperatives, Manohar Lal Sharma, Member Legislative Council Subash Gupta, former Congress minister for R&B, Gulchain Singh Charak, former MLAs -Th Puran Singh and Balbir Singh, senior Congress leader Hukam Chand and National Conference leaders Romi Khajuria and Devinder Singh Bindoo.
The AICC leader reminded the historic decision of the Coalition Government in the State, creating new administrative units, which has benefited the people of rural areas especially who had to travel miles for their revenue or other officials works. The secular Congress-National Conference has worked in coalition on the ideological basis and proved governance at grass roots level, not like BJP which makes castle in the air. Mr Azad further cautioned the people from political parties who are pursuing the agenda of dividing the people on caste and communal lines. “They are attempting to create wedge between the people with just one goal to grab power by any ways and means,” Mr Azad said and added that these political parties have nothing to do with the pains and problems of common masses.
Mr Azad sad in past over 65 years, it is only Congress party which has continuously strengthen the secularism and worked for developing the rural, remote and hilly areas of the country. Congress has never inquired about caste, colour and creed of a person instead it worked equitably. Several other leaders accompanying Azad also addressed the gathering.
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