Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, May 21: Addressing the National Media Workshop for spokespersons organized by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) here today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh put forward the bottom-line dictum saying “a spokesman should know when not to speak”.
In a lucid presentation aided by PowerPoint, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the problem with most of us is that as soon as we are appointed as spokesperson, we feel as if we have been conferred the authority to speak on any subject anywhere,as a result of which, sometimes we tend to speak out of turn or without full knowledge of facts. He said, personally for himself, he had made a principle to speak only on issues and not on individuals which often saved him from falling in the trap of personal tit-for-tat.
Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the importance of laying the agenda for media debate instead of falling prey to the agenda laid down by the media channel and said that this approach has helped him to sail through several tricky debates related to sensitive political issues and controversial subjects.
Highlighting achievements of two years of the Modi Government, Dr Jitendra Singh gave elaborate data and statistics related to various pro-poor schemes launched by the Modi government during last two years. In a 40 minute lecture titled “Empowering the poor”, he said, various grassroot schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana and Jeevan Bima Yojana are not only aimed at the economic empowerment and social security of the poor, but are also valuable means of restoring the self-esteem of the poorest of the poor.
Citing figures, Dr Jitendra Singh said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given deadlines for implementing most of the schemes and as a result, while under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana over 6.8 lakh houses have already been constructed, the target is to construct 1 crore houses by 2019 and 2 crore houses by 2022. Similarly , 3.7 crore new LPG connections provided in 2015-16 will not only bring convenience to the life of a poor housewife, but would also ensure a smoke-free and healthier life for her, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that under Jan Dhan Yojana with provision for zero balance, 21.81 crore accounts have already been opened while under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 1.92 crore toilets have already been constructed in addition to 4.17 lakh toilets in government schools.
In conclusion, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the achievements of the Modi Government have to be carried to every nook and corner of the country so that everybody can get aware of the same and take benefit of these schemes. The campaign should not only be confined to committee halls, but must be carried up to canteen halls, he added.
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