Additional Secretary, Rural Development Caralyn Khongwar Deshmukh today visited South West Khasi Hills district and attended the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra campaign held at Mawranglang.
A message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was screened during the programme followed by a pledge taking “Hamara Sankalp Viksit Bharat”.
Addressing the gathering, Deshmukh spoke about the campaign and highlighted the efforts of district officers to ensure the widespread reach of government schemes to every village. She said the campaign is a significant step in ensuring efficient last-mile delivery of government welfare schemes for the well-being of the citizens and development of the district as a whole.
Deshmukh emphasised the significance of Aadhaar enrolment, linking Aadhaar to various services, and the importance of opening bank accounts to avail benefits offered by the central government. She underscored the necessity of providing access to financial services such as banking and facilitating the opening of bank accounts for beneficiaries within the district.
Deputy Commissioner Tableland Lyngwa highlighted the development and progress witnessed in different sectors within the district, such as healthcare services and improved road connectivity and the substantial benefits accrued by the residents through various central government schemes.
Lyngwa also spoke on initiatives such as free LPG connections to poor households, free food grains, electricity access, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin, among others. He appealed residents to actively take advantage of the welfare schemes and called for collaborative efforts between the people of the district and government departments to collectively contribute to the overall development of the district.
Functionaries under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were also felicitated during the programme. Work orders were also distributed to beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme.
Other highlights of the programme include testimonies from beneficiaries of NRLM, PMAY-G and MGNERGA and a cultural dance performed by RiMaram Folk Academy.
A free health screening was also conducted by the health officials, enrolment for gas connection, Aadhaar, registration for Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and registration of voters ID etc.
