India, Ballia: Today, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi launched a Rs 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to poor families as he attacked previous governments for just paying lip service to reducing poverty. Calling himself ‘Shramik No.1’ (Worker No.1), he listed out initiatives taken by his government for the welfare of labourers.

The launch coincided with May Day and Modi attacked previous governments for doing little for the poor. “Policies made by previous governments were not keeping in mind the welfare of poor but only ballot boxes,” he said. Poverty, he said, can be eradicated only if poor are empowered, given resources and opportunities as well as education, jobs, houses, drinking water and electricity.

He questioned the policies pursued by the previous government for poverty eradication, saying poverty has only increased during past years. “We are working to fight poverty,” he said, adding that under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, free LPG connections will be provided in name of women members of BPL households. In the first year, 1.5 crore such connections will be released and the target of 5 crore will be completed in three years, he said, comparing it to the just 13 crore LPG connections provided in 60 years of independence.