95 crore people now benefiting from social security schemes: PM Modi
New Delhi, Jun 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said around 95 crore people are now benefiting from one social security scheme or the other, while till 2015, the government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people.
In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi cited an International Labour Organisation (ILO) report which stated that more than 64 per cent of India’s population is now availing some social protection benefit or the other.
“Presently, most of the populace in India is taking advantage of one social protection benefit or the other and recently a very important report of the ILO has come out. It has been mentioned in this report that more than 64% of the population of India is now definitely availing some sort of social protection benefit or the other,” Modi said.
Social Security is one of the biggest coverages in the world, he said.
“Today, around 95 crore people of the country are getting the benefit of some or the other social security scheme; whereas, till 2015, the government schemes were reaching less than 25 crore people,” Modi said.
From health to social security, the country is moving ahead with the feeling of saturation in every field, he said.
“This is also a great picture of social justice. These successes have instilled a belief that the coming times will be even better; India will become even stronger at every step,” Modi said.
The prime minister also hailed as a “remarkable milestone” the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring India Trachoma-free and lauded the efforts of healthcare workers for the success.
Trachoma is a highly contagious bacterial infection, which has been a major cause of preventable blindness worldwide.
“The ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ also helped in eradicating it. The ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ also contributed a lot to this success. Today, when clean water is reaching every home through taps, the risk of such ailments has reduced,” Modi said,
The WHO has also appreciated the fact that along with tackling the disease, India has also got rid of its root causes, he said.
In his broadcast, Modi also extended his best wishes to all the fortunate devotees going on the various religious yatras.
After a long time, the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has had an auspicious re-start, he said.
“Kailash Mansarovar is the abode of Lord Shiva. Kailash is considered the centre of faith and devotion in every tradition; be it Hindu, Buddhist or Jain,” he said.
Noting that the holy Amarnath Yatra is going to commence on July 3, Modi said the holy month of ‘Sawan’ is also just a few days away.
“Just a few days ago, we have also witnessed the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath ji. Be it Odisha, Gujarat or any other corner of the country, lakhs of devotees participate in this Yatra. From North to South, East to West, these Yatras are a reflection of the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat’,” he said.
