Modi's launchpad for BJP: LPG connections to poor

Ballia: Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday distributed LPG connections and pledged to ensure a better life for the poor.

PM Narendra Modi accepts a sapling at the launch of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana yesterday. Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and MoS for Petroleum and Natural Gas (I/C) Dharmendra Pradhan (in white) were also present on the dais. Pic/PTI

"This is a government for the poor. Whatever we do will be for the poor. We have worked a lot on labour-related issues," the prime minister said while launching the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.

The scheme promises to provide free LPG connections to five crore women from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families between 2016 and 2019. Modi also distributed some cooking gas connections to people on the occasion.

He said schemes ‘must be made for the welfare of the poor not keeping in mind considerations of the ballot box'. Modi greeted the workers, or shramiks as he described them, on the occasion of Labour Day.

"I laud the hard work of all shramiks and appreciate their role in the progress of India. In this century, our mantra should be: All shramiks of the world, let's make the world one. Unite the world," he said, adding that the Centre was working to allocate ‘tremendous resources' to develop Uttar Pradesh.

Describing Ballia as a land of revolutionaries, Modi said, "Ballia gave us Mangal Pandey. People from here give their lives to the nation. Connectiv-ity in this region, rail lines, bridges... These issues were ignored, but I congratulate local MPs for ensuring this changes."