‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas implemented on ground’
*Hurdles to implement Central schemes removed
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today that Jammu and Kashmir is now fast marching on the path of development and the Government’s policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas’ is being implemented on ground there.
Click here to watch video
“As far as health facilities in Jammu and Kashmir are concerned, work on two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Government Medical Colleges is going expeditiously. Progress in development works of Jammu and Kashmir has gathered pace. Now, in the real terms, the policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas and Sabka Vishwaas’ is being implemented on ground in Jammu and Kashmir,’’ Modi said.
He was interacting with owners of some Jan Aushadhi Kendras and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadi Pariyojna (PMBJP) through video conference on the occasion of ‘Jan Aushadi Diwas’.
Asserting that earlier it was very difficult to implement Central policies and schemes in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Modi said the hurdles have been removed now. He was obviously referring to abrogation of special Constitutional provisions in Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcation of the erstwhile State into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
“The new arrangements in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh will help give boost to more facilities there,’’ the Prime Minister said, adding that during last one and a half years, Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing development works in fast-paced manner.
During this period, Modi said, 3.5 lakh people have been linked with ‘Ayushman Bharat’ Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, three lakh elderly people, women and Divyangs are getting benefits of Government’s pension scheme.
Interacting with Prime Minister via video conferencing, Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Pulwama in Kashmir region said that he has benefitted from the Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana scheme and wants Centre to take the scheme to rural areas to help poor families.
“People in Kashmir have access to affordable treatment and cheap medicines. It is a step taken for humanity for the welfare of the poor. This scheme should reach all villages as most of them are not educated. I used to purchase medicines worth over Rs 10,000 but now I buy the same for only Rs 1,000 at Jan Aushadhi Centres,” said Ghulam Nabi.
Responding to him, Prime Minister Modi said: “I assure you that we will take this scheme to all villages of Jammu and Kashmir.”
Making the environment friendlier, the Prime Minister while referring to Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Azad said: “Ghulam Nabi Saheb, I have a friend in Delhi with the same name as yours. When I will meet Ghulam Nabi ji next, I will tell him that I got a chance to meet a Ghulam Nabi from Pulwama. I am satisfied that in Jammu and Kashmir, our friends like you are getting benefits from the scheme. In hilly areas, we need to take this scheme and ensure that medicines are provided to all’’.
PTI adds: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked people to stay away from rumours regarding Coronavirus and emphasized on the need to follow the advice of doctors in this regard.
He also asked people to avoid handshakes and start greeting others with ‘namaste’ once again.
“In such times rumours circulate very rapidly. Some say don’t eat this, don’t do that. Some people will bring in new things such as eat this to keep Coronavirus away. It is my request to all my fellow countrymen, kindly keep away from these kinds of rumours,” he said.
“Whatever you do, kindly do it on the advice of your doctor. Let’s not become doctors ourselves,” the Prime Minister added.
The entire world is taking up the habit of ‘namaste’, Modi said. If due to some reason we have discontinued this habit, it is the right time to once again take this up instead of handshakes, Modi said.
“Jan Aushadhi Diwas is not only a day about celebrating a scheme, but it is a day to join with crores of Indians, lakhs of families who have got major relief through this scheme,” Modi said.
It is also a day to reach out to other people to popularize this scheme so that poorest of the poor of the country can also avail the benefits, he added.
Talking about the impact of the PMBJP initiative, he said every month, over one crore families are getting benefits of cheap medicines from these Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Over 6,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country have helped people save between Rs 2,000-2,500 crore, he added.
The cost of medicines at Jan Aushadhi stores is 50 to 90 per cent cheaper than their average market price. Giving an example, he said a medicine used for the treatment of cancer is priced at around Rs 6,500 in the market, but the same is available at Jan Aushadhi Kendras for Rs 850.
The Government has decided to give awards in this field to recognize the efforts of the people who are running these stores. These awards will start a new, healthy competition in the field of Jan Aushadhi, he added.
“I believe the biggest beneficiary of this competition will be poor and middle class,” Modi said.
He also appealed to State Governments to ask doctors to prescribe only generic medicines.
The store owners as well as other beneficiaries shared their experiences with the Prime Minister.
Modi also became emotional when one Deepa Shah from Dehradun, who suffered from a paralytic attack in 2011, broke down while narrating her ordeal and the high cost of treatment earlier, as she thanked him for the scheme.
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda participated in the programme at Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Varanasi, while Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya participated from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Pulwama.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Pariyojna was launched by the Prime Minister with the objective of making high-quality medicines available to all at affordable prices, especially to the poor and underprivileged, through the Jan Aushadhi outlets.
Currently, there are 6,200 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in 700 districts in the country. Total sales of these stores in the financial year 2019-20 has crossed Rs 390 crore.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
