New Delhi, Feb 24: Loading off fresh ammunition on the Congress over nepotism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed his commitment to the country saying 'Modi's family are the people'.

Virtually addressing a 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Chhattisgarh' programme on Saturday, PM Modi said, "The Congress is still unable to think beyond Parivarvaad, corruption and appeasement. Those who work for their own families can never think about you and your loved ones. Those busy building a rosy and secure future for their sons and daughters can never pay heed to your needs or secure the futures of your children," Prime Minister Modi said.

"But for Modi, you, my fellow citizens, are family. Your dreams are mine and I am committed to fulfilling them," PM Modi said in his virtual address to the 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Chhattisgarh' programme on Saturday.

Further hitting out at the Congress, he said though the grand old party ruled the country for the longest time since Independence, it failed to set the nation on the course of development and secure the futures of citizens.

"Congress formed governments again and again but never gave thought to building an India of the future. All they wanted was to form the government and keep their hold on power. Taking the country forward was never figured in their agenda. Even today, the Congress remains directionless and lacks vision like it used to back in the day," PM Modi added.

He said he has ensured an unsparing crackdown on corruption and the utilisation of all the misappropriated wealth for the country's welfare.

"Today, strict action is being taken against those who looted public wealth and robbed the poor. The money recovered from them is being used for the welfare of the poor," PM Modi said.

"Fron free ration, free treatment, permanent houses for the poor, water in every house to toilets, cheap medicines, and gas connections at every home, we are working for the welfare of all," he added.

Further outlining the Centre's flagship rural solar project, PM Modi said, "We want to make Chhattisgarh a centre of solar energy. The government has set a goal to reduce your power bills to zero," he said.

"Modi wants to make every house a 'Surya Ghar'. Modi wants to give every family another avenue of earning by generating electricity at their homes and selling it. With this objective, we started 'PM Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme'," PM Modi said.

He also hailed the development work undertaken in Chhattisgarh saying the dream of a 'Viksit Chhattisgarh' will be realised through the empowerment of farmers, youth and Nari Shakti (women).

"Today, we are moving ahead with the resolve of building a 'Viksit Chhattisgarh'! The BJP made the resolve and it is the BJP which will fulfil this pledge to the people," Prime Minister Modi said.

"Chhattisgarh has hardworking farmers, talented youth and a wealth of nature. The state always had an abundance of resources for development. How those who lorded over the state and the country at the time lacked the vision to utilise the resources effectively and take the country forward," he said.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 34,400 crores in Chhattisgarh under 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Chhattisgarh'

The projects cater to several important sectors including Roads, Railways, Coal, Power, and Solar Energy among others.

During the occasion, PM Modi dedicated NTPC's Lara Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-I (2x800 MW) to the nation and laid the foundation stone of NTPC's Lara Super Thermal Power Project, Stage-II (2x800 MW) in Raigarh.

While Stage-I of the station is built with an investment of around Rs 15,800 crore, Stage-II of the project shall be constructed on the available land of Stage-I premises, thus requiring no additional land for the expansion, and entails an investment of Rs 15,530 crore, a PMO release said.

Equipped with highly efficient Super Critical technology (for Stage I) and Ultra Super Critical technology (for Stage II), the project will ensure lesser Specific Coal Consumption and Carbon Dioxide emission.

While 50 per cent of power from both Stage I and II is allocated to the state of Chhattisgarh, the project will also play a crucial role in improving the power scenario in several other states and UTs, such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli among others, the release said.
Prime Minister also inaugurated three key First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects of South Eastern Coalfields Limited, built at a total cost of more than Rs 600 crores.

In a step to boost the production of renewable energy in the region, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Solar PV Project at Rajnandgaon built at a cost of around Rs. 900 Crore.

Strengthening the rail infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister dedicated the Bilaspur - Uslapur Flyover to be built at a cost of around Rs 300 Crores.
This will reduce the heavy congestion of traffic and stoppage of coal traffic at Bilaspur going towards Katni.
Further, PM Modi dedicated a 50MW Solar Power Plant in Bhilai.
Prime Minister also dedicated rehabilitation and upgradation of the 55.65 km long Section of NH-49 to two lanes with paved shoulders.

According to the PMO release, the project will help in improving connectivity between two important cities Bilaspur and Raigarh. The PM also dedicated rehabilitation and upgradation of a 52.40 km long section of NH-130 to two lanes with paved shoulders.

The project will help in improving the connectivity of Ambikapur city with Raipur and Korba city and will boost the economic growth of the area, it added.

(ANI)

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