Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 5 (HBTV): Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Sunday stated that homes were provided to 3 lakh people during the current government's tenure under the PM Awas Yojana.

His statement came following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Bilaspur, where he laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several development projects.

Speaking to ANI, Sharma said, ‘Today is the housewarming of all the 3 lakh people who were provided homes during the present government's tenure... He spoke on various topics, such as Naxalism, PM-JANMAN, and PM Awas Yojana.’

Finance Minister OP Choudhary also welcomed the initiatives, saying, ‘The PM's gift will take the state towards development... 10 lakh homes were already approved, and 3 lakh homes have already been allotted.’

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi launched a series of development projects worth over INR 33,700 crore in Bilaspur. Addressing the gathering, he said, ‘Chhattisgarh ki tasveer badal rahi hai, taqdeer bhi badal rahi hai’ (Chhattisgarh’s image is changing, so is its fate), highlighting the progress being made in the state.

PM Modi noted that 3 lakh people would move into their new homes under the PM Awas Yojana during Navratri. He attributed this achievement to the public’s confidence in his leadership.

‘Today, on the auspicious day of Navratri, 3 lakh poor families of Chhattisgarh are entering their new homes. I wish all these families the best for a new life. It is only because of you all that a concrete roof over the heads of these poor families has become possible; I am saying this because you trusted Modi's guarantee,’ he said.

The Prime Minister personally handed over house keys to several beneficiaries and emphasised the focus on tribal areas. He stated that many of the 3 lakh houses had been built in Bastar and Surguja regions.

‘The dream of building permanent houses for the lakhs of families of Chhattisgarh was kept in files by the previous government, but we gave a guarantee that our government would fulfil this dream. As soon as Vishnu Deo ji's government was formed, a decision was taken in the first cabinet to build 18 lakh houses. Today, 3 lakh houses are ready. I am also happy that many of these houses have been built in our tribal areas. Many families of Bastar and Surguja will also receive their permanent homes,’ PM Modi said.

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to uplift tribal communities, citing initiatives such as the Dharti Aba Tribal Development Campaign and the PM Janman Yojana.

(ANI)