ITANAGAR, Apr 15: The 127th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar was observed across the state as Samajik Nyaya Diwas (Social Justice Day) with the launch of the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (village self-governance campaign) on Saturday.
In Itanagar, Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (GSA) was launched by Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju at the state banquet hall.
He said the campaign seeks to promote social harmony, reach out to the poor households, obtain feedback on ongoing programmes, enhance livelihood opportunities, and re-emphasize national priorities such as cleanliness and strengthening the panchayati raj institution.
Seeking cooperation from the stakeholders to ensure the campaign’s success, Rijiju stressed that it is the responsibility of the officials and leaders to pass on the information to the people, “as lack of basic information among the people is one of the main reasons why government schemes cannot see 100 percent success in their implementation.”
“Even after 71 years of independence, many villages in the state still lack basic facilities like electricity, water, and LPG connection,” he said, and informed that every village would eventually be covered under the GSA.
PHED Minister Bamang Felix said the state government is committed to ensure the implementation of all the schemes under the GSA, while Chief Secretary In-charge Kaling Tayeng informed that the GSA is a three-week long campaign which began on 14 April.
The schemes that are to be covered under the GSA include the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Saubhagya, Ujala Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, and Mission Indradhanush.
Tayeng informed that all the deputy commissioners have been briefed through a video conference regarding the activities that have to be taken up in their respective districts.
LPG cards, insurance policies, service connection of the power department, immunization cards, etc, were handed over to the beneficiaries during the programme.
Earlier, RD Special Secretary Nyali Ete said the GSA would “eventually enlighten our rural population to come forward as a team for overall development.”
Rijiju later flagged of the campaign vehicles.
In Namsai, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein launched the abhiyan and paid tributes to Dr Ambedkar.
“The BJP government is working on bringing administration to the doorsteps of the poor and the needy to ensure 100 per cent coverage without pilferage,” he said, adding that the scheme will be monitored by Group A officers of the central government.
“This will ensure time bound completion and transparency in implementation,” Mein said.
Planning Parliamentary Secretary Chau Zingnu Namchoom highlighted Dr Ambedkar’s life and work for the cause of the people living in the lowest socioeconomic strata.
Deputy Commissioner RK Sharma informed that “apart from the target of 100 per cent saturation in seven flagship schemes, the GSA also aims to launch the ambitious ‘Ayushman Bharat’ scheme on 30 April.”
In Aalo, West Siang Deputy Commissioner Swetika Sachan instructed the line departments to intensify the programme all over the district by involving social leaders and NGOs, and in Hawai, Anjaw DC Mamata Riba launched the GSA and urged everyone to participate in the campaign.
In Ziro, Lower Subansiri DC Kemo Lollen, who launched the campaign, said it would “re-sensitize the common people on the various welfare schemes launched by the government.”
The DC called for sincere efforts from all the line departments in utilizing the three-week programme to reach out to the maximum number of people.
ZPC Hage Kobin called for prioritizing cleanliness and strengthening the panchayati raj institution, while ICDS Deputy Director C Thangjam spoke about the schemes and programmes under the social justice department.
In Tawang, camps were set up at various villages under the GSA. Services such as issue of Scheduled Tribe and income certificates, Aadhar enrollment, opening of Jan Dhan accounts, enrollment under PMJJBY, PMSBY, distribution of LED bulbs under Ujala Yojana, etc, were provided to the villagers.
Deputy Commissioner Sang Phuntsok visited the camps and interacted with the villagers and department officers. He sought active participation from gaon burahs and PRI members for successful conduct of the campaign.
In Seppa, East Kameng DC In-charge DJ Borah exhorted the people to ensure that social justice prevails in every sphere of their life. He also urged women to go the extra mile in building a better society
Advocate Biman Sonam spoke about the laws and rights of women and children, and suggested that women groups generate wide publicity on them for the masses.
The National Nutritional Mission was also launched on the occasion by the women & child development department, during which CDPO Giogi Natung urged the people to extend their support in successful implementation of the programme.
In Yupia, Papum Pare DC In-Charge Tabang Bodung directed all the administrative outpost officers to observe the GSA in coordination with PRI members in their respective circles. The heads of the departments concerned were assigned with tasks to ensure successful implementation of the campaign in the district.
In Pasighat, East Siang DC Tamiyo Tatak highlighted the importance of launching the GSA on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar.
“Awareness about the benefits extended under the flagship programmes should percolate to the last man in the most inaccessible area of the district, so that the objective of the campaign is achieved in the true sense,” he said.
JNC Pasighat Associate Professor Dr MA Salam highlighted the contributions of Dr Ambedkar to the nation. A short film on the life of Dr Ambedkar was also screened on the occasion.
The day was also observed at Yagrung circle headquarters.
Our correspondent reports: The yojna was also launched at Taliha, Dumporijo, and Daporijo blocks during the Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations in Upper Subansiri district.
It saw the participation of villagers, including gaon burahs and PRI leaders, who were informed of the importance of the day. (DIPROs)
