Stay more vigilant than ever against virus: PM

Stay more vigilant than ever against virus: PM

01/06/2020

“Apart from that, certain decisions taken by the Centre would also contribute to the development of our rural areas as economic centres and contribute to their self-reliance,” Mr. Modi said.

He commended the Railways, which has been under fire for the facilities provided to inter-State workers on Shramik Special trains taking them home. “Indian Railways has been working to get people home. They have worked round-the-clock for it,” he said. He singled out several philanthropic individuals, who on their own contributed to relief work during the lockdown.

“Those who serve are positive, vital and confident, and it was a pleasant discovery for me on how Indians across the country have pitched in to serve,” he said.

The Ayushman Bharat universal health insurance scheme clocked over 1 crore beneficiaries last week, a fact marked by Mr. Modi.

“For our poor, medical help is expensive and a choice has to be made between sinking further into poverty and not getting the required treatment. I am happy that over 1 crore beneficiaries, 80% of whom are from rural areas, and 50% of whom are women, got help under the scheme. Our honest tax payer also needs to be commended as it is through his/ her taxes that all these welfare programmes are funded,” the PM said. Mr. Modi reiterated that the phasing out of the lockdown cannot be seen as an end to COVID-19, but that social distancing and other measures should be followed.