AMN / AHMEDABAD
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the Constitutional amendment to provide 10 per cent reservation to economically poor in the general category was achieved due to the political will of his government.
Mr Modi said, the economic reservation has been given without impacting the existing social reservations. He said the new reservation will be implemented in 40,000 colleges across 900 universities in the country from this academic year.
Prime Minister said, the number of seats will be increased by 10 per cent. Mr Modi was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the 1500 bed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Science and Research at Ahmedabad in Gujarat today. Mr Modi said the Institute will be linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme so that poor people can avail medical facilities free of cost. Prime Minister said, this will be the first government hospital to have a helipad. Mr Modi said the new medical facility will help boost the health sector in Gujarat.
He said, in 100 days, seven lakh poor people have received treatment under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushmaan Bharat scheme. Mr Modi said, his government is working to open 1.5 lakh Health and wellness centres across the country by 2022. Mr Modi said, Jan Ausadhi Kendras has helped people reduce their medical bill especially those taking medicines regularly. Prime Minister said, the government is also working to open at least one medical college in every parliamentary constituency.
Prime Minister also inaugurated Vibrant Gujarat Global Trade Show at the Mahatma Mandir Exhibition cum Convention Center in Gandhinagar. The trade show is part of 9th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit which will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister tomorrow.
After inaugurating the trade show, Mr Modi visited a few pavilions and saw some of the products kept on display. Around 25 industrial and business sectors are showcasing their products at the event. The trade show will continue till January 22 and will be open for general public on the last two days that is January 21 and 22. For the first time, the government has organised buyer-seller and reverse buyer-seller meet as part of the trade show, where manufacturers, mainly from the MSME sector, are displaying their products.
Around 1,500 overseas and domestic buyers are expected to visit the trade show, which aims to benefit MSMEs (micro, small & medium enterprises) from Gujarat. Sixteen pavilions are displaying products in as many categories. For the first time, there is a separate pavilion showcasing products from the African countries. Mr Modi is on a three day visit to Gujarat beginning today.