Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ) national portal, a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting the most marginalized segments of society. This transformative initiative symbolizes the government’s dedication to placing the marginalized communities at the forefront of its development agenda.
What is Pradhan Mantri Samajik Utthan evam Rozgar Adharit Jankalyan (PM-SURAJ)
During the launch event, PM Modi unveiled the PM-SURAJ portal, which aims to provide credit support to one lakh entrepreneurs hailing from disadvantaged communities across India. Through this portal, the government will facilitate the disbursal of financial assistance worth a staggering ₹720 crores directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries residing in over 500 districts.
In his address, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing the underprivileged, stating, “This occasion provides a glimpse of the government’s commitment to prioritize the underprivileged.” He expressed satisfaction with how welfare schemes are reaching Dalits, deprived, and backward communities, adding an emotional touch by saying, “This makes me emotional as I am not separate from them, and I see in them my family.”
PM Modi underscored the importance of ensuring the inclusion of marginalized communities in the nation’s development process. He highlighted the significance of initiatives like PM-SURAJ, which directly provide financial assistance to beneficiaries, eliminating the need for middlemen and commissions.
Ensuring Basic Amenities for All
PM Modi highlighted his government’s efforts to break the mindset of the past, ensuring that basic amenities like gas connections, bank accounts, and toilets are available to Dalits, backwards, deprived, and tribal communities. He emphasized that the biggest beneficiaries of schemes like free ration, free medical treatment, pucca houses, toilets, and Ujjwala gas connections are the people on the periphery, the deprived segments.
Empowering SC, ST, and OBC Communities
The Prime Minister stressed the government’s commitment to empowering the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities. He highlighted that the assistance provided to these communities by various institutions has doubled in the last 10 years, and the government has allocated nearly ₹1.60 lakh crores for the welfare of the SC community this year alone.
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Promoting Education and Entrepreneurship
PM Modi emphasized the government’s focus on education and entrepreneurship for the marginalized sections. He mentioned initiatives like increasing scholarships for SC, ST, and OBC youth, reserving 27% of seats for OBCs in the all-India quota of medical seats, facilitating OBC students’ participation in NEET examinations, and providing assistance through the National Overseas Scholarship for underprivileged students pursuing Master and PhD degrees abroad.
Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted schemes like Mudra Yojna, which has provided financial assistance worth about ₹30 lakh crores to the poor, including SC, ST, and OBC communities, and the Standup India Scheme and Venture Capital Fund Scheme, which promotes entrepreneurship among these communities.
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Safeguarding Health and Safety of Frontline Workers
During the program, PM Modi distributed Ayushman Health Cards and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits to Safai Mitras (sewer and septic tank workers) under the National Action for Mechanized Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE). This initiative aims to safeguard the health and safety of frontline workers who serve in challenging conditions.
Ensuring Dignity and Justice
PM Modi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing dignity and justice to the underprivileged, stating, “This is a testament to our commitment to provide dignity and justice to the underprivileged. Modi gives you this guarantee, this campaign of development and respect for the deprived class will intensify in the coming 5 years. With your development, we will fulfil the dream of Viksit Bharat.”
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Recognizing the government’s efforts to provide essential amenities like gas connections, bank accounts, and toilets to marginalized communities, the Prime Minister asserted that the goal of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047 cannot be achieved without the development of the deprived segments.
The PM-SURAJ program witnessed the participation of about 3 lakh beneficiaries from disadvantaged groups across more than 500 districts, highlighting the government’s dedication to leaving no one behind and fostering an inclusive and empowered society.
