The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today released the first instalment to 1 lakh beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY – G) under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) via video conferencing. The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of PM-JANMAN on the occasion.

Ms Mankunwari Bai from Jashpur district in Chhattisgarh, who is involved in agricultural work with her husband informed the Prime Minister that she is acquiring training to make Dona Pattal by engaging with self-help groups while also creating awareness about PM-JANMAN related schemes as Janman Sangi by conducting door-to-door campaigns. She is part of the self-help group called Deep Samuh which comprises 12 members. Ms Mankunwari also informed the Prime Minister about her plans to sell the produce created in self-help groups at Van Dhan Kendras. She further spoke about the benefits received and mentioned pucca house, water, gas and electricity connection and Ayushman Card where her husband received free treatment for ear ailment and her daughter received treatment worth Rs 30,000. She also mentioned receiving benefits related to Forest Rights Act (FRA), Kisan Credit Card and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Ms Mankunwari said that the tapped water connection is protecting her from consuming contaminated water and thereby saving her and her family from water-borne diseases, the gas connection is helping her save time and eliminating the smoke emitted from firewood. She thanked the Prime Minister and said “The work which wasn’t taken up in the last 75 years has now been completed in 25 days.” Shri Modi also enquired about interest in sports and asked for a show of hands by young women and girls among the crowd. He emphasized indulging in sports and said that most of the sports awards in recent times are being bagged by athletes from the tribal community. The Prime Minister expressed delight that Ms Mankunwari is receiving benefits under several schemes and they are making her life easier. “You have not only availed the benefits but also created awareness among the community”, the Prime Minister said as he underlined that the impact of government schemes increases manifold when it sees the participation of the masses. He concluded his interaction by reiterating the government’s effort to include every single beneficiary and not leave anyone behind. 

Smt Lalita Aadivasi of Sahariya Janjati from Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh a mother of 3 is a beneficiary of Ayushman Card, ration card, PM Kisan Nidhi. Her daughter is in class 6 and gets scholarship, uniform and books along with the benefit of Ladli Lakshmi scheme. Her son, a class 2 student, also gets a scholarship and other facilities. Her youngest son goes to an Anganwadi School. She is associated with Sheetla Maiya Swayam Sahayata Samooh, a self-help group. She is supported by a custom hiring center. The Prime Minister congratulated her on the first installment of pucca house. Smt Lalita thanked the Prime Minister for thinking so sensitively about the tribal issues and informed him about the transformation that JANMAN Abhiyan has ushered in as now tribal population is able to avail all the benefits of available schemes. She told the Prime Minister that she was made aware of the JANMAN Abhiyan and other schemes in the meetings of her self-help group and said that she started getting benefits like the allocation of a house, and her father-in-law received benefits of Kisan Credit Card. 100 additional Ayushman Cards were made during the JANMAN Abhiyan. Her village was fully covered by the Ujjwala Scheme and new households were also covered under the campaign. The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the leadership qualities of the tribal and rural women. Local Panchayat member Vidya Aadivasi explained to the PM the Map and development planning of the village to the Prime Minister with a model of the village. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the impact of PM JANMAN on the ground and reiterated the government’s determination to cover each and every deserving beneficiary. 

Ms Bharti Narayan Ran is a student of 9th class in Eklavya Model Residential School, Pimpri and hails from Nashik, Maharashtra impressed the Prime Minister with her Hindi language skills. Upon the PM’s enquiry about the facilities available in her school, she mentioned a large playing field, residential hostel and hygienic food. Ms Bharti also shared her aspirations to become an IAS officer and said that she got inspiration from her elder brother who is a school teacher at Ashram School. Ms Bharti’s brother, Shri Panduranga informed the Prime Minister that he studied in Eklavya Model School from class 6th to 12th under CBSE board and graduated from Nashik. He also informed about inspiring other children to take up studying at Eklavya Model School, especially those who wish to migrate to big cities. Speaking about the benefits received so far, Shri Panduranga mentioned pucca house under PMAY, toilets, employment under MNREGA, Ujjwala gas connection, electricity connection, tapped water supply, One Nation One Ration Card and Ayushman Card. He also mentioned the first installment of Rs 90,000 to be transferred today under PM-JANMAN. He expressed his desire to educate all students so they can find their way to every corner of the country and serve the nation.

The Prime Minister also reiterated his clarion call to carry out cleanliness campaigns in all temples and urged the students to show enthusiastic participation in their region. Prime Minister Modi conveyed his blessings to the two students and also bowed before their parents for their commitment towards educating the children. He expressed confidence that Ms Bharti will accomplish her dream and informed that the government is taking all steps to further expand the number of Eklavya schools in the country. PM Modi urged the students present on the occasion to become a part of  Eklavya Schools.