Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday marked the completion of 12 years in office, stating that the welfare of the poor and marginalised has remained the central focus of his government’s policies since 2014. The remarks came a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) completed its 12th year at the Centre.
Highlighting what he described as a period of significant national transformation, Modi said India’s development journey over the past decade has been anchored in the principle of “Antyodaya”, which emphasises uplifting the last person in the socio-economic ladder. He asserted that governance efforts have consistently aimed to ensure that the benefits of development reach those historically left behind.
The Prime Minister cited flagship welfare initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Swachh Bharat Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and Ayushman Bharat as key pillars of this approach. According to him, these schemes have been designed to provide dignity, opportunity, and improved living standards to millions of citizens across the country.
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In a post on social media platform X, Modi also underscored the role of technology in governance, particularly in improving transparency and efficiency in welfare delivery. He said digital systems and DBT mechanisms have reduced leakages in subsidies and ensured that financial assistance reaches beneficiaries directly, strengthening public trust in governance systems.
He further described the broader welfare framework as part of a “Garib Kalyan” movement aimed at empowering citizens and advancing the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” or developed India. The BJP and NDA leaders also marked the occasion, highlighting the government’s focus on poverty alleviation and social welfare under the hashtag #12YearsOfGaribKalyan.
A government publication released on the occasion stated that welfare of the poor has been the central objective of policymaking over the past 12 years. It also referred to the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana as a key support mechanism for vulnerable populations, while claiming that global reports indicate a significant decline in poverty levels in India during this period.
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