Noida: Ahead of the assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the ‘Stand Up India’ scheme in Noida today. The initiative is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship among the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and women, by facilitating loans in the range of Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore.
Eyeing the crucial Dalit vote in the poll-bound state, PM Modi flagged off his inaugural speech with a mention of their icon Babu Jagjivan Ram.
"Today is Jagjivan Ram's death anniversary. He never let his Dalit background stop him. That's why we have chosen this day to launch ‘Stand Up India’," PM Modi said, adding that those who work for the nation must be honoured irrespective of their ideologies..
Furthering his address, Modi briefed about his goal for the newly launched scheme. He said, “Through 'Stand Up India' initiative, we intend to turn job seekers into job creators.
“Dalits and poor people, if given an opportunity, can bring in various reforms in the country. That’s my vision for Stand up India,” he added.
Prior to the event, Modi held a Chai Pe Charcha with rickshaw pullers and their families. “There are few auto drivers who do not own their own rickshaws and half of what they earn are spent on rent,” the Prime Minister said referring to rickshaw pullers and auto-drivers. As per the government’s new initiative, 5100 paddle rickshaws will be upgraded to e-rickshaws. The people who receive these e-rickshaws will also receive proper training in handling the vehicles.
“E-rickshaws will be given to those who do not own rickshaws. Beneficiaries of this will be the poor,” PM Modi said.
The government has also made provisions for adequate financing for the poor and marginalised, including women."1.25 lakh banks will loan money to 1.25 lakh young people from marginalised communities. Every branch of every bank will ensure that a woman, a Dalit person or a tribal will be given a loan," the PM said.
The Prime Minister also flagged-off 5100 e-rickshaws on the occasion and launched a mobile application under which an e-rickshaw can be ordered through RuPay Card and Jan Dhan.
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