Context: Recently, Gujarat government repackaged the Maadar-e-Vatan scheme launched in the 2020 annual budget to encourage non-resident Indians (NRI) to partner with the government for village-level projects, as “Vatan Prem Yojana”.

Background

• The announcement about the launch of the “Vatan Prem Yojana” was made during the “Vikas Divas” celebrations to mark the completion of five years of Vijay Rupani government in Gujarat.
• It was launched in the 2020 annual budget to encourage non-resident Indians (NRI) to partner with the government for village-level projects.

Key Points

• The word Maadar-e -Vatan means motherland and ‘Maadar-e’ in Persian means mother.”
• It was launched as “Vatan Prem Yojana”.
• It would cover village-level projects such as Smart Class in schools, community hall, primary health centre, Anganwadi, library, CCTV surveillance system, water recycling, drainage, sewage treatment, beautification of ponds, bus-stand and solar energy powered streetlights.
• Under the scheme, an equal partnership of the state government and NRI in the terms has been changed to 60 per cent share of the NRI and 40 per cent of the state government.
• The earlier version of the scheme saw 50:50 contribution with state government contributing equal amount of money donated by an NRI for development works in the village.

Key Benefits

• Under the scheme, the Gujarat government has given a beautiful opportunity to Gujaratis living across the globe to participate in the development of their country.
• Under a new clause of the Vatan Prem Yojana, a governing body headed by the chief minister and an executive committee will be created.

By: Shubham Tiwari