Ahmedabad, May 26 (IANS) A group of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) beneficiaries in Gujarat’s Surat district expressed joy over the Modi government’s 12 years in power and wished for an even longer stint. The root cause of their delight is the transformation and upliftment in their lives and those of their families over the past decade.

Many recalled the difficult moments of their lives, when they lived in pucca and thatched-roof houses, facing numerous problems on a daily basis, but their problems began to disappear after 2014, when schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) were rolled out to bring significant change in the lives of poor families.

Many residents living in the City Light area of ​​Surat shared their experiences while lauding the past 12 years of the Narendra Modi-led government.

Shiv Prasad Mishra, a resident of Surat for the past 40 years, recounted that for a long time, he was compelled to live in kaccha (temporary) and uncomfortable dwellings. It was after financial assistance under the PMAY that his life underwent a complete overhaul.

“For the past five years, thanks to Modiji’s benevolence, I have been living in this permanent house. Today, our lives have seen immense progress. Previously, there was a severe shortage of basic amenities—such as roads, water, and ration supplies—in this locality; but today, everything is well-organised,” he said.

Speaking on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), he noted that middlemen have been eliminated and that funds and subsidies under the schemes now flow directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts, leaving no room for corruption or the demand for commissions.

Another beneficiary from the same locality, Hansaben Rajubhai Rathod, became emotional as she recalled her past struggles.

She said, “Previously, my house was in a very dilapidated condition. During the monsoon season, water would leak through the roof, and we were forced to place pots and tubs at various spots inside the house to collect the rainwater. When we received the funds under PMAY, we constructed our permanent home. Now, we feel very happy and secure.”

Many beneficiaries, including the duo, conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the Prime Minister.

Expressing gratitude to the Modi government, Hansaben said that the Prime Minister has done excellent work for the poor.

Shiv Prasad Mishra remarked, “I extend my warmest congratulations to him. Our only wish is that he continues to serve as the country’s Prime Minister, so that the care and development of the poor may continue in this manner.”

–IANS

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