Zero Poverty Scheme: Top UP Official Visits Villages to Meet First Beneficiary

Lucknow: A family in Salauli village, located about 17 km from Lucknow, has been selected as the first beneficiary of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath 's ambitious plan to eliminate extreme poverty in Uttar Pradesh.

Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh visited multiple villages to decide on the family eligible for the UP government's 'Zero Poverty Scheme.' He traveled with only his wife, forgoing his usual entourage, to identify beneficiaries, according to a statement released on Saturday.

"His search ended in Gosaiganj, Lucknow, where he met a family who truly needed support. Engaging in a heartfelt conversation, he extended Diwali greetings, presenting them with sweets and gifts," the statement read.

'Zero Poverty Scheme' aims to the eliminate extreme poverty in Uttar Pradesh by identifying 25 lakh underprivileged families across Uttar Pradesh, enabling them to access government benefits and boost their annual income to Rs 1,25,000 per family, it said.

A statewide campaign is in progress to identify families for the scheme. In his October 2 message to all district magistrates, the chief secretary highlighted the need for swift implementation of the scheme's vision.

In Salauli village of Gosaiganj, Singh met Ruby, whose family is now the first to benefit from the 'Zero Poverty Scheme', the statement said. Her husband, Ram Sagar, works as a labourer, while she supports the family by working in the fields.

They have two young children, Shivansh (3) and Sudhir (around two years old), according to the statement.

"This family of Gosaiganj became the first to benefit from the Zero Poverty Scheme, marking a meaningful start to this impactful initiative," it said.

"After an in-depth conversation with Ruby and a careful assessment of her situation, Chief Secretary Singh selected her family as the scheme's first beneficiary," it said.

"He reassured Ruby that her hardships would soon lessen, with full support from the Yogi government and administration," it added.

Explaining the benefits of the scheme, Singh promised that they would soon begin to experience its positive impact on their lives.

The chief secretary also urged officials to personally make efforts to ensure that every eligible family receives the support they deserve. He added that the government is fully committed to transforming the lives of those at the lowest economic levels.

(with PTI inputs)