Union minister assures justice for tribal people

KOHIMA — Union minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment and president of the Republican Party of India (RPI), Ramdas Athawale, on Thursday assured delivering justice to all section of the people especially the tribal and marginalised communities.

Athawale made this announcement during a press conference held in the state capital, Kohima. He also emphasised on the importance of supporting transgender individuals and senior citizens in the state.

He added that the centre under the leadership of Narendra Modi is committed for the development and progress of the country. He expressed optimism that the BJP-led government at the centre would perform better in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.

Athawale also looked forward to meeting the state chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, during his visit to the state to discuss on various matters such as extending support for their candidates and exploring potential government assistance.

With two RPI MLAs in the state, Athawale reaffirmed his party’s support to the ruling government.

He highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana Scheme, an approximate 385,000 accounts have been opened from 2014 to February 2024, while under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, around 131,000 loans have been disbursed to beneficiaries from 2015 to February 2024 in Nagaland.

He informed that about 119,000 gas connections have allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana from 2016 to February 2024 and about 10,000 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) in the state from 2018 to February 2024.

Athawale went on to share updates regarding the construction of 19,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) from 2015 to February 2024 in Nagaland.

Further, he stated that approximately 64,000 individuals have been benefited from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayush Bharat Yojana) in the state from 2018 to February 2024. The minister also claimed that a total of 872,000 LED bulbs were distributed to the people in the state from 2015 to February 2023.

The union minister was accompanied by Mughato Aye, state president of RPI (A); Vinod Nikalje, observer of Northeast observer; and Wangkha Konyak, former RPI candidate.