Sonia Gandhi inaugurates Aajivika Diwas wants its fast implementation

Congress President and  UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday while addressing the second anniversary function of the Congress-liked UPA’s land mark scheme flagship scheme  Aajivika mission, called for quick implementation of the same particularly in central and eastern parts had rechristened National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) as Aajivika.

Sonia Gandhi said that the empowerment of weaker sections and women has been the main pillar of the UPA government. The Congress President  stressed on poverty alleviation and noted the importance of the Aajivika in making people self-dependent.

Sonia Gandhi announced that a special package is being prepared for north-eastern states and hilly states, like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. She also explained the the target of the government and said that in the next 10 years, seven crore below poverty line (BPL) families have to be lifted out of the poverty. Sonia Gandhi said: “Aajivika Mission in many states have proved that through women self-help groups (SHGs), economical and social changes can be brought in the rural areas. Seeing this success, it seems that Aajivika Mission will have to be implemented fast across the country especially in central and eastern India.”

Launched in June 2011 in Banswada in Rajsthan by Sonia Gandhi herself, Aajivika seeks to create efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor. It seeks to enable people in rural areas to increase household income through sustainable livelihood enhancements and improved access to financial services.

The Aajivika has a target to cover seven crore BPL households across 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and six lakh villages through self-managed SHGs. The ministry seeks to support the SHGs in a period of 8-10 years. While highlighting the importance of the scheme, Sonia Gandhi said “today everybody has proved that this programme can free women from the curse of poverty”.

Reiterating the commitment of the UPA government towards women empowerment, she said the bank to be established for women in the country with an investment of Rs 1000 crore will be run by women only.

Rahul Gandhi: Chhattisgarh Naxal strike an attack on democracy

Congress convoy was an attack on democracy. "This is not an attack on the Congress workers or on the Congress party. It is an attack on the ideals of India, founded on the bedrock of non-violence," said Rahul Gandhi.

"No force, howsoever brutal, can deter us through violent means. Our nation shall never be deterred from working for the welfare and well-being of all our people through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means," added the Congress leader. Responding to a question on the imposition of President's Rule in the state, the party vice president said: "It is not time to do politics here. It's a very sad incident and we all have to stand together."

A large number of Maoists Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy, blocking its way with felled trees, setting off a landmine blast and then opening fire in Sukma district. The attack left close to 30 people dead and 25 injured.

Among the dead were Leader of Opposition in the Chhattisgarh assembly Nand Kumar Patel, his son Dinesh Patel, former leader of opposition Mahendra Karma, Chhattisgarh Congress president Uday Mudaliyar and former legislator from Rajnandgaon Gopichand Madhwani.

Aajeevika will free women from the curse of Poverty : Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi while inaugrating Aajeevika Diwas 2013 said, "In the direction of women empowerment, National Rural Livelihood Mission is the largest women empowerment programme in the world. In the coming five years it would cover two third of country's population.

This programme can free women from the curse of poverty and in this direction one has to strengthen the Women Self Help Groups financially."
UPA Chairperson further said that Empowerment of weaker sections of our society and women has been the main focus of the Government.

Aajeevika is a programme under National Rural Livelihood Mission which will cover seven crore rural households across 623 districts, 6000 Blocks, 2.5 Lakh gram panchayats and six lakh villages of India.

Rahul Gandhi :Indira Gandhi is my role model

New Delhi: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi warnined the party leaders that he wouldn’t be would crack down on indiscipline. “Look at that photograph, the second one. She is my role model,” said Rahul Gandhi  pointing towards a picture of Indira Gandhi, at a meeting with Delhi leaders.

“I will not tolerate indiscipline. I will take tough action. I will punish those who act against the party’s interests,” he asserted. This is the sternest message to have come from the party vice-president after his polite endeavours over the past few months to curb internal squabbles almost drew a blank.

Rahul Gandhi signalled that he wouldn’t be blind to undisciplined leaders. “I don’t mind if our government goes out of power but I won’t tolerate factional conspiracies. My main aim is to strengthen the Congress and that can be done by the sincerity and hard work of the ordinary workers. There cannot be any compromise on the organisation,” said the Congress Vice President.

 “Heed my advice and come together to work for the party. Stop playing games within the party. I know what is happening. I know who does what, I am not the one who will turn a blind eye to all these,” he added.  In Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, where polls are due this year, factionalism is one of the problems in the Congress for long.

While interacting with the Delhi Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi argued that CM Sheila Dikshit had been working tirelessly for 14-15 years and every Congress worker and leader should work to strengthen her hands. The Congress leader warned partymen and leaders who paid no heed to block party presidents. He said nobody with less than 70 per cent attendance in monthly meetings called by the presidents should expect election tickets.

However, the strong stand by the young Congress leader surely indicates one thing –Rahul Gandhi has begun to show his tough side.

Sonia Gandhi and MGNREGA

 For Sonia Gandhi empowerment of our brothers in the villages has got a new dimension through this MGREGA. This has proved itself as the lifeline particularly for Dalits and Adivasis. It is providing social security as well.

 Amongst the beneficiaries of this scheme , women constitute 50%. This scheme has helped in controlling the migration from villages under compulsion. Village based Post Offices and Banks have also got a new boost by keeping and maintaining the accounts of this scheme. Farm labourers have started getting better wages due to the implementation of this scheme.
One salient feature of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA is that it has not only generated jobs but it has created `Green Employmen.

 She believes that through the help of Women Self help Groups and NGO's it can be build stronger and  MGNREGA has the capacity to improve farm productivity and bring in more Green revolution. It's budget of 40 thousand crores should be utilized in

Improving the quality of the land owned by marginal farmers and to provide them water for irrigation. Because such farmers possess 80% of our farmland.