Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed approximately 6.5 million Svamitva property cards on Saturday, emphasizing that this initiative will enhance economic activities and aid in poverty reduction.

During a video conference with some beneficiaries, he noted that the scheme will facilitate access to loans and enable individuals to benefit from government programs. The property cards are being issued in over 50,000 villages across 10 states, including Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

“With the distribution of these 6.5 million cards today, around 22.4 million villagers will now possess Svamitva property cards,” the Prime Minister stated.

He pointed out that property rights represent a significant global challenge, referencing a United Nations study that highlighted the lack of legal documentation for property ownership in numerous countries. The UN has recognized the importance of property rights in alleviating poverty.

Modi explained that an esteemed economist had described village property as “dead capital,” as it was unutilized and unable to generate income. “India also faced this issue. Villagers hold property worth billions, yet lack documentation. This led to disputes, property encroachments, and banks’ refusal to grant loans,” he observed, criticizing previous governments for their inaction on this matter.

He noted that marginalized groups, including Dalits, backward classes, and tribals, were particularly affected. “With legal property rights, many individuals have been able to secure loans to start their own businesses. For farmers, these property cards serve as a guarantee of financial security,” he added.

Modi asserted that the Svamitva and Bhu-Adhaar initiatives will lay the groundwork for rural development.

The event also featured Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh ‘Lalan’, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj S P Singh Baghel, and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj. Several chief ministers, Union ministers, and state ministers joined the event virtually.

Additionally, physical distribution events for the property cards are taking place in over 230 districts, with around 13 Union ministers expected to participate from various locations across the country to supervise these regional distribution ceremonies.

In anticipation of the upcoming Delhi assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has announced a new welfare initiative aimed at providing free water and electricity to the city’s tenants. This announcement came as part of Kejriwal’s broader appeal to voters, where he pledged significant relief for renters, who form a substantial part of Delhi’s electorate.

During a press conference, Kejriwal highlighted the frequent requests from tenants for utilities subsidies, a benefit they have not yet enjoyed despite other AAP-backed welfare measures like free bus rides and healthcare services. “Tenants are a vital part of our community and should enjoy the same benefits as homeowners. We aim to rectify this imbalance by introducing a scheme that extends free water and electricity to all tenants if we are re-elected,” Kejriwal stated.

The focus on renters, particularly those from the financially disadvantaged Purvanchali community, underscores AAP’s commitment to inclusivity in its governance. Kejriwal added, “It is disheartening to see large families cramped in small apartments without basic utilities support, which adds to their financial strain.”

In addition to tenant subsidies, Kejriwal reiterated his government’s dedication to educational support, announcing potential free bus services for male students and fare concessions on the metro. These proposals build on existing initiatives like the Mahila Samman Yojana and Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, which are aimed at supporting women and religious workers respectively.

The election, scheduled for February 5, with the results to be declared on February 8, is seen as a critical test for AAP’s governance model, which emphasizes social welfare schemes as a cornerstone of its policy framework.

In a sharp rebuke of Pakistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar described the country as a “cancer” that is now affecting its own society. His comments were made during the 19th Nani A Palkhivala Memorial Lecture in Mumbai, where he also outlined India’s diplomatic stance over the past decade.

“Pakistan stands as an exception in our neighborhood, primarily due to its support for cross-border terrorism, which is akin to a cancer affecting its own body politic,” Jaishankar stated. He emphasized the collective regional interest in seeing Pakistan move away from such policies.

In his lecture, Jaishankar expressed that despite India’s non-Western alignment, it maintains a strategy that is not anti-West, advocating for advancement in critical and emerging technologies. He also pointed out the challenges posed by the “weaponisation of financial institutions,” suggesting that India needs to bolster its internal growth and reduce external vulnerabilities.

The minister used the term ‘vishwabandhu’, meaning a friend to the world, to describe India’s role on the global stage, aiming to enhance relationships while safeguarding national interests.

Jaishankar’s remarks also covered the importance of middle powers in regional politics and how India has expanded its diplomatic reach through strategic partnerships, highlighting mutual respect, sensitivity, and interest as the pillars of India’s foreign policy.

“The past decade has demonstrated our ability to progress on multiple fronts, advancing diverse relationships without exclusivity and effectively bridging divides in polarized situations,” he concluded.