UPA Govt to implement revamped 20 Point Programme

Kochi, Nov 14 (UNI) The UPA Government will implement a revamped 20 Point Programme to provide to the ''poorest of the poor'' in the rural areas facilities available in cities, Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G K Vasan said today.

Inaugurating the first anniversary celebrations of the re-launched 'Veekshanam', the daily newspaper brought out by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) here, Mr Vasan said that the UPA Government had introduced various welfare measures, especially to create employment and develop infrastructure in rural areas.

In the latest decision to this end, the Prime Minister, had on October 4 approved the revamped 20 Point Programme, under which the poorest of the poor in the villages would be provided facilities on par with the cities, he said.

Describing Rahul Gandhi, as the ''rising star of the Congress'', Mr Vasan said he was working hard to inspire the youth of the country to build a strong Congress and a strong nation.

Lauding the KPCC with for re-launching 'Veekshanam' last year, he hoped that the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee would take inspiration from the Kerala experience and re-launch its publication 'Nav Shakti'.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in a message read out by KPCC general secretary and 'Veekshanam' Managing Director Benny Benhanan, said that the newspaper was performing an important role of spreading secularism, providing a valuable platform for party workers and serving as the ''people's voice''.

KPCC President and Chief Editor of 'Veekshanam' Ramesh Chennithala said there were plans to launch an on-line edition of 'Veekshanam' from January next year. Following demands from non-resident Keralites, the board of directors was also considering launching a Gulf edition of the newspaper, he added.

Starting with three editions in November last year, the paper had introduced two more editions in Kottayam and Kannur during the year, Mr Chennithala said.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy hoped that the newspaper would march ahead with confidence and courage.

Several veteran journalists were also felicitated at the function.

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