Rajasthan: Amit Shah unveils Vajpayee statue, launches Rs 5,755-Cr Projects in Chittorgarh
Chittorgarh, Aug 16 (TNT): Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday unveiled a 21-foot-tall statue of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in Chittorgarh on his death anniversary and inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 944 development projects worth Rs 5,755 crore across 15 districts of Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
speaking on the occasion, Shah said the statue had been installed at a cost of more than Rs 1.5 crore and paid tributes to Vajpayee, recalling his contribution to nation-building, national security and good governance.
He said Vajpayee followed the path of nationalism from his childhood and remained committed to the principle of “nation first” throughout his political career.
He recalled Vajpayee’s journey as an RSS pracharak, Jana Sangh worker and Member of Parliament before becoming Prime Minister.
Shah said Vajpayee remained in the Opposition for four decades but never compromised on his principles.
As Prime Minister, he took several major decisions, including making India a nuclear power and launching the Golden Quadrilateral project to strengthen road connectivity.
He said Vajpayee’s establishment of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was another significant contribution, as it provided a dedicated institutional framework for the welfare of tribal communities.
Highlighting the Narendra Modi government’s initiatives for tribal welfare, Shah said the budget allocation for the Scheduled Tribe Component had increased from Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
He also mentioned the observance of Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, tribal freedom fighter museums and the establishment of Eklavya Vidyalayas.
On the significance of Vande Mataram, Shah said its singing during the 80th Independence Day celebrations marked a significant occasion, particularly as the country was observing the 150th anniversary of the national song’s composition.
He criticised opposition leaders over their alleged remarks on the song.
Shah said the Narendra Modi government had expanded the reach of the Har Ghar Nal Se Jal scheme in Rajasthan, with tap water connections increasing from 11 lakh households to 64 lakh households.
He said the Bhajan Lal Sharma government had taken several measures to address water scarcity, including signing three major agreements, and that the Rising Rajasthan event had attracted investment proposals worth Rs 35 lakh crore and resulted in 36 new policies.
Shah said 1.78 lakh jobs had been provided through job fairs and gas cylinders were being supplied for less than Rs 450, with Rs 1,128 crore disbursed as subsidies.
He said the Pradhan Mantri-Mukhyamantri Ayush Arogya Yojana had benefited 45 lakh people and the State government had also launched the Lado Protsahan Yojana and initiatives aimed at increasing green cover.
Shah said Rajasthan was set to make significant progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.
TNT KS
