I'll do in 50 months what others failed to do in 50 years, PM Modi says in Varanasi

Varanasi, Sep 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi mocked opposition for raising questions against his ambitious Jan Dhan Yojana and asked, "Those who kept poor away from banking facilities even after four decades of nationalization of banks are seeking account of such a scheme of government which has brought Rs 30,000 crores cash in rotation in a record time."

While addressing a function of rickshaw distribution in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Friday, PM not only indirectly targeted the previous Congress-led governments referring to the popular slogan of 'Garibi Hatao' but also expressed his commitment of doing the task in 50 months what they failed to do in 50 years.

"Main hairan hoon, jinhone ek bhi khata nahi khola who hisab maang rahe hai ki khate operate nahi ho rahe hain. Main yeh batane ayah un ki jo kaam apne 50 saalon mein nahi kiya, main who 50 mahino mein karunga" (I am surprised that those who did not open a single account in bank are showing their concern that the accounts are not being operated properly. I am here to tell them that what they failed to do in 50 years, I will do in 50 months), he said.

Continuing attack on Congress Modi during his 18 minutes speech, said, "We have been hearing the slogan of 'Garibi hatao' for 40-50 years, but nothing concrete was done to eliminate poverty. Garibon kim mala japate rahane ki ek parampara ban gayi hai, isase bahar ane ki jaroorat hai. (Chanting only poverty mantra had become a tradition, there is a need to come out of it), he said adding that the country has not received desired results from whatever experiments had been done so far for poverty elimination. "I do not want to blame any government or party, but it is the need of the hour to make a new beginning for the welfare of the poor," he said and appealing the poor to send their wards to schools at any cost as education is the only best option to fight poverty.

Regarding ambitious skill development programmes of his government PM said, "How a little support to develop skill of hardworking poor is developing confidence among them was evident when I talked to some of beneficiaries here. A rickshaw puller has become aware about the works `skill development' and its importance. Carry on this programme at broader scale as the same rickshaw pullers and auto drivers creates first impression on any tourist or visitor hence their training how to behave with guests is also equally important."

Earlier, the sunny weather allowed Modi to reach his parliamentary constituency timely following cancellation of his two previous visits on June 28 and July 16 due to heavy rains.

The governor Ram Naik and chief minister Akhilesh Yadav welcomed the PM at LBS International Airport after his special flight landed. Later, PM reached Cantonment to address the function in which he distributed 101 e-rickshaw, 501 bicycle rickshaw, packages under Jan Dhan Yojana, solar lanterns to rickshaw, pushcart and street vendors. Later, he left for DLW to attend other events by chopper.