Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra pays tributes to former PM Vajpayee; inaugurates Atal Canteen
New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) On the eighth death anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra led the party workers in paying floral tributes to him at his memorial and later inaugurated an Atal Canteen in Anand Vihar in East Delhi.
After President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior national leaders led the nation in paying respects at a national memorial gathering held at his samadhi, Malhotra joined saints and seers, as well as renowned sportspersons, in paying tributes.
Malhotra was accompanied by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Members of Parliament from Delhi, Ministers, senior leaders and office-bearers from the state to the Mandal level.
After paying tributes at the former PM Vajpayee’s memorial, Malhotra inaugurated an “Atal Canteen” in Anand Vihar and said that 25 new “Atal Canteens” were inaugurated across Delhi on Sunday under the guidance of former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
The Delhi BJP President said, “As part of this initiative, I had the privilege of inaugurating an ‘Atal Canteen’ today in front of the Anand Vihar Bus Stand.”
Local MLA Om Prakash Sharma, Deputy Mayor Monica Pant, along with other office-bearers and party workers, were present on the occasion.
Free meals were served at all Atal Canteens no the occasion of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s death anniversary.
On the occasion, Malhotra said that in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve that no person in Delhi should go to bed hungry, wholesome meals are being provided to needy people through Atal Canteens for just Rs 5.
Malhotra said that Atal Canteens are not merely a scheme to provide affordable food but also represent the BJP government’s commitment to providing meals to poor and needy people with dignity and self-respect.
The Union government’s endeavour is to ensure that no economically weaker person is forced to seek food by extending a hand before others and that every needy person receives nutritious food with dignity, he added.
Along with these public welfare initiatives being undertaken by the Delhi government, the BJP has also accelerated efforts to fulfil its other commitments made to the people of Delhi during the Assembly elections, Malhotra said.
“Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, the process of providing Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women has been initiated.”
“Similarly, the scheme to provide free LPG cylinders to eligible families on the occasions of Holi and Diwali is also among the Delhi government’s major public welfare commitments,” he added.
–IANS
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