Poor bore the brunt of previous govts’ wrong intentions: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the release of financial assistance to 6.1 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — Gramin, via video conferencing, in New Delhi. PIC/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lashed out at previous governments, saying the poor had to bear the brunt of their "wrong" policies and intentions. He also said the poor people never believed in the past that the government will help them get a roof above their heads.

"Their (previous governments) policies were wrong and the poor had to bear the brunt of their wrong intentions," he said while releasing financial assistance of rs 2,691 crore to 6.1 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The prime minister specifically criticised the state's previous Samajwadi Party government for its alleged failure to take advantage of the Prime Minister Awas Yojna (Gramin) after its launch in 2016. "When we brought the PMAY-G in 2016, the government here, which you all removed, despite our repeated requests did not provide the names of beneficiaries," said Prime Minister Modi.

"We were ready to provide funds but all requests, letters in this regard were ignored. This behaviour of the government of that time has not been forgotten by the poor," he added, in his 30-minute speech through video conferencing. "The poor did not believe that the government could help them in constructing houses. What kind of houses were made by earlier governments is known to all. It was because of the wrong policies. But, it was the poor who had to bear the brunt in the name of destiny," the prime minister rued.

Modi also praised CM Yogi Adityanath for the "all-round development" in the state and "speedy implementation of central schemes". "In the past four years, the manner in which the Central government schemes have been implemented and provided momentum has given a new identity to the state," the PM said.