Chief Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi gave an indication that the desert areas of North-Gujarat may have a big Solar-Energy Park. The alchemic qualities of Narmada waters and Solar-Energy would open up bright avenues of progress and prosperity for the arid wastelands of desert regions.

“We have staged a battle against penury. We are making collective efforts to remove the scourge of poverty. True contentment lies in winning the battle against poverty, “Said C.M. He expressed his unflinching commitment, “We are fully committed to architect Swarnim Gujarat, and future is bright.”

Social welfare has received earnest attention of State Government, the ‘Garib Kalyan Mela ‘organised at desert regions of Tharad witnessed large turn around. More than 92000 beneficiaries got scheme-benefits of Rs. 68 Crores. Under various schemes, benefits and tool-kits were distributed at the hands of Chief Minister, Ministers Sarva Shri Narottambhai Patel, Anandiben Patel, Nitinbhai Patel, Fakirbhai Vaghela, Ministers of State Sarva Shri Parbatbhai Patel, Shri Jaysinh Chauhan and Vasanbhai Aahir.

Chief Minister expressed his pledge, “People have given me an opportunity to serve them for the longest period of 3000 days. Remaining away from traditional celebrations, I have taken it as a chance to redeem my pledge towards poor and deprived classes, by making sincere endeavors of serving them. Credit truly goes to them; I express my indebtedness to them on this momentous occasion.”

Conveying grandeur of Swarnim Jayanti, Gujarat is to celebrate Swarnim Jayanti of attaining Statehood; he expressed his unflinching commitment of organizing 50 ‘Garib Kalyan Melas’ in the State. According to him, this is the right way of celebrating the Golden-Jubilee of Gujarat.

“After India became Independent, poor people were nursing an ambition to have bread and butter and their own home, along with dignified living. Unfortunately, after 60 years of Independence, their aspirations are not fulfilled yet. The money and benefits intended for poor had flowed in to private coffers, as middleman used to snatch away such benefits. Present Government is fully committed to deliver the benefits, which are due to them, straight in the hands of appropriate beneficiary,” Chief Minister had expressed his fierce resolve.

The arid land of Banaskantha and Patan would get Narmada-Water-linked irrigation facilities, up to the farms. Explorations of Solar Energy coupled with Narmada-Water-linked irrigation facilities opens up bright avenues of development in the regions; C.M had outlined the theme of development.

State Government is making committed efforts to implement benchmarks of Quality-Education at primary level. The virtuous journey from ‘Praveshotsav’ to ‘Gunotsav’- from Mass enrollment drives covering every village, to bring about qualitative changes in Primary Education- is filled with commitment and conviction. Education is the most powerful tool for empowerment. The poor beneficiary can stage his claim with confidence; such an environment has been built up.

It is also a fair to fully eliminate the role of middle-men. Administration, Chief Minister and Ministers are moving village to village. Meeting beneficiaries, filling the forms, completing all the formalities within short time and delivers scheme-benefits straight in to their hands.

He outlined the special drive of allotting dwelling-unit-plots to homeless people, “We are making dedicated efforts to find out plots at village level. Since we got independent, whatever numbers of plots were allotted to poor people, our goal is to provide more numbers of dwelling- unit-plots to poor people just within one month.”

He made an emotional appeal to adopt drip-irrigation practices and animal husbandry benefits. It will usher in economic progress and prosperity.

Rural Development Minister, Shri Narottambhai Patel said, “The beneficiary needs not to take rounds of Government offices for availing the scheme-benefit. State Government has reached to their doorstep, to deliver benefits. Poor people from six Talukas are getting such benefits. Gujarat Government has taken an initiative to reserve 50% seats for women in the institutes of self-governance. Around 1.40 Sakhi Mandals are formed across the State. They have received fund of crores of rupees to initiate economic activities. “

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Fakirbhai Vaghela elaborated upon the path -breaking welfare initiatives taken by State. State Minister Shri Parbatbhai Patel detailed the Taluka wise allocations and development initiatives.

Various N.G.Os had given cheques of Rs. 5.51 Lakhs in to Chief Minister’s Kanya Kelavani Nidhi.

Ministers Sarva Shri, Smt. Anandiben Patel, Nitinbhai Patel, Jaysinh Chauhan, Vasanbhai Aahir, Former M.P and Deputy President BJP State Unit Shri Haribhai Chaudhri, MLAs Sarva Shri Liladharbhai Vaghela, Shankarbhai Chaudhri, Anilbhai Mali, Babubhai Desai, Mafatbhai Purohit, Govindbhai Prajapati, Vasantbhai Bhatol, District BJP President –Chairman Gopalak Board- Dr. Sanjaybhai, Presidents of Taluka Panchayats, eminent leaders were among the others who attended the function.