By Our Reporter
Shillong, Sep 26: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla exuded confidence the BJP will retain power at the Centre by winning over 400 seats in next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a Rozgar Mela here on Tuesday, he said the BJP will benefit from the various good things that the Narendra Modi government did for the people in the last nine and half years.
He downplayed the perception that the anti-incumbency factor will cost BJP dear.
“Our government is committed to the ideals of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas’ to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
According to the Central minister, the government is working tirelessly to ensure basic necessities through various programmes and schemes for the holistic welfare of the poor and the marginalised sections of the society.
Barla referred to the newly-launched PM Vishwakarma scheme which will provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools. He said many people miss out on these schemes due to lack of proper information.
He urged everyone to make the public aware of the government schemes, thereby bridging the information gap and facilitating the implementation of government schemes and policies.
Barla said some programmes under his ministry are being implemented in Meghalaya. The ministry is funding the construction of a sports complex, a market complex, hostels for boys and girls and many other things, he said.
“We are also funding a skill development programme in Meghalaya,” he said, adding the ministry provided funds of Rs 127 crore for the construction of the PA Sangma stadium in Tura.
Asked about the collapse of the stadium’s retaining wall, the Central minister said he had visited the site of the stadium when he was in the state last.
“I am told that the work for repairing the retaining wall is being taken up,” he said.
