PM Modi launches solar-powered boats in Varanasi, says 'govt schemes should strengthen people, not vote banks'

Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that schemes that strengthen the people are important not schemes that strengthen vote banks. 

Launching 11 solar-powered 'e-boats' at the Assi Ghat, the Prime Minister said that the step is in line with his government's focus on making long-term interventions to empower the poor in their fight against poverty and climb up the ladder, which was not the case during previous governments.

"Earlier when something was talked about our Nishad brothers, the price of diesel was brought down by one rupee or so in the hope that they will cast their vote in favour. But we have made schemes, which empower the poor to fight and defeat the poverty themselves. We are working in that direction," he said.

"We are empowering the poor so that the poor can battle poverty. Take the Jan Dhan Yojana for instance. Our experience during Jan Dhan Yojana brought out the richness of the poor. And it is really satisfying to work day and night for the poor," he added.

"Through Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, we asked banks to give loans without guarantee as this country is for poor, banks are for poor," he further said, adding, "There was a time when a MP used to get 25 gas coupons, and people used to queue up outside their house to ask for gas connections."

"They (previous government) used to give 25 gas connections, we decided that we'll provide gas connections to over 5 crore families in 3 years," the PM pointed out.

"India has launched seven satellites to augment the GPS system. With the kind of politics going on in our country and massive work being done, it came to our mind that let's name it (the solar-powered boat project) after Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay or Shayma Prasad Mukherjee (the RSS icons)," the PM said.

"You have already seen how many schemes are named after one family. We also felt tempted to name the project after those who belonged to us. But this Modi is made of a different stuff. I named it Naavik (boatman). I did not name it after any of my family members or any leader. I have given a name, which gives immortality to the fishermen community," the PM added.

Reaching out to the backward fishermen and boatmen communities (kevat, nishad, machchuara) and addressing them as 'brothers', PM Modi said his government is "for the poor".

"This nation, our government and our banks, they are for the poor," he emphasised. 

PM @narendramodi interacting with e-rickshaw beneficiaries. pic.twitter.com/RVG84WhBJo — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 1, 2016

PM @narendramodi on the e-boat in Varanasi this evening. pic.twitter.com/gJl8eisdkV — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 1, 2016

Later the PM tweeted the following:

Spent time at Gyan Pravah- Centre for Cultural Studies and Research in Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/AFkpo1xxfc — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2016

On board an e-boat. The experience was memorable. Do travel on them during your next visit to Kashi. (Photo) pic.twitter.com/Nnv8obWArt — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2016

Had a very engrossing discussion with a group of citizens of Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/OLff7Qf571 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2016

Steps taken by Centre are fully devoted to freeing poor from the clutches of poverty & making them self-sufficient. https://t.co/tV97yX7uIM — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2016

(With Agency inputs)