Modi launches Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana; adopts village in Varanasi

The PM further asked every MP to adopt a village and work for their development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched the 'Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana', an ambitious village development project under which each MP will take the responsibility of developing physical and institutional infrastructure in three villages by 2019.

Speaking at the launch here, Modi said under the scheme it is envisaged that under the leadership and through the efforts of Members of Parliament, on village would be developed by each MP by 2016.

He said on the basis of the model created by this experience, it is envisaged that two more villages would be developed by each MP by 2019 and that one village will be developed every year.

"We are nearly 800 MPs. If before 2019 we develop three villages each, we reach nearly 2,500 villages. If in the light of this scheme, the states also create a similar scheme for MLAs, then 6-7000 more villages can be added," Modi said.

The Prime Minister also said that if one village is developed in a block, it is also likely to have a 'viral' effect and development would permeate other villages also.

Speaking about the scheme, the PM said that there is flexibility and an MP is free to choose any village. The only condition is that it should not be his own village or that of his in laws.

"I also have to choose a village in Varanasi," Modi said and added that he would go there, discuss and choose a village.

He said that till now the model of development being followed in the country has largely been supply driven.

"In Delhi, Lucknow or Gandhinagar, a scheme is prepared and then an attempt is made to inject it everywhere. Through this 'Adarsh Gram' (scheme), we want to shift from supply driven to demand driven model," he said.

He also said that atmosphere should be created where every person is proud of his or her village.