Gujarat CM launches 8th round of Garib Kalyan Melas from Bochasan

Gandhinagar

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today launched the eighth edition of the annual statewide Garib Kalyan Mela at a function from Bochasan in Anand district by disbursing assistance and distributing gadgets totalling Rs.4.10-crore to 4,268 beneficiaries. This included Rs.3.19-crore under Housing Schemes to 2,852 people, Rs.45-lakh to 919 youth under Employment Scheme and others.

 

She also inaugurated the website of the Anand district traffic rules and the website of the Lakkadpura village adopted by the District Superintended of Police.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Patel said the Garib Kalyan Mela was started to ensure economic empowerment of the poor as part of the State Government’s responsibility to all sections of the society and not as a charity.

 

She said the Garib Kalyan Mela has been running for the last seven years with the feeling of ‘Sabka Sath; Sabka Vikas’. Earlier, the poor had been maltreated as vote bank for too long, while only crumbs were thrown at them. She listed self-employment schemes for 2.50-lakh Sakhi Mandal Groups in the state, providing farm equipments to farmers. There are other government schemes for education, health and social welfare being implemented through other forums.

 

The Chief Minister also paid tributes to the freedom fighters of the Borsad, Mahatma Gandhi’s foot march through the region, but criticized the previous Congress government’s declaring Dandi March as Heritage Route but doing nothing after that.

 

District Panchayat President Jashwantsinh Solanki said that assistance worth Rs.13,000-crore have been disbursed to 89-lakh people during the previous seven Garib Kalyan Melas. Others who spoke on the occasion included Member of Parliament Dilipbhai Patel, MLA Sanjaybhai Patel, and Prant Officer C.J. Patel.

 

Prominent among those present on the occasion included leaders Amitbhai Shah, C.D. Patel, Dipakbhai Patel, Ambalal Rohit, Vishnubhai Patel, Hansakunwarba Raj, Ramanbhai Solanki, Naynaben Patel, Saynaben Solanki, Jayansinh Chauhan, Hemantbhai Patel, In-charge Secretary Sangita Singh, Collector Dhaval Mehta, DDO
Modia and DSP Ashok Kumar Yadav.

 

On the second day of the Mela on Saturday, August 8, 2015, the Chief Minister will be present at Vaghai in the Dangs district to distribute assistance worth Rs.15.38-crore to 14,856 beneficiaries. She will also inaugurate the newly constructed Vaghai Taluka Seva Sadan.

 

In the afternoon, she will inaugurate the  Superintendent of Police Office at Godhra in the Panchmahals district in presence of Minister of State for Home Rajnibhai Patel and Minister of State for Forest Bachubhai Kabad.