2.5 lakh beneficiaries at Modi rally

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jaipur on July 7, the state BJP and administration are on toes. With the Assembly polls just a few months away, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned to make it a huge hit.

At Amrudon ka Bagh, the venue of the rally, hectic preparations are underway, including the drill, for the landing of helicopters at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium after the Rajasthan High Court gave its nod to a state government request to allow the construction of helipads for Modi's arrival.

According to sources, Modi will board the chopper from the Jaipur airport and will be accompanied by two other helicopters to the stadium, which will accommodate his staff and security.

For the rally, the state government has already shortlisted 2.50 lakh government scheme beneficiaries from all over Rajasthan.

A separate fund was allocated to all districts for transportation of beneficiaries. Around 3 lakh people, including 2 lakh beneficiaries of 12 government schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna, will attend the rally.

Around 5,000 buses will reach the Pink City for the rally.

Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said the beneficiaries coming to Jaipur will be treated as guests of the government.

In his address to district collectors via video conference, he said, "Beneficiaries should be given proper respect. They should be served with food and water in the buses in which they will travel from their areas to Jaipur".

Beneficiaries will be given a identity card with their names printed on it, along with the name of the district, address, mobile numbers, bus number and the name of bus in-charge.

However, Chief Secretary D B Gupta has discouraged the participation of the elderly, the ailing and the differently abled.

Moreover, for hassle-free communication, one control room has been set up in each district apart from the state-level control rooms in Yojna Bhawan and Pariwahan Bhawan.

Special security arrangements have been made for the prime minister's visit. Vehicles will be parked within a 3-km radius of the venue.

The SPs and collectors will inform the state government about the number of vehicles departing from their respective districts.

A team of the Special Protection Group visited the venue for the prime miniseter's programme and also held meetings with various department officials regarding preparations on the ground. The security agencies have been scanning the slums near the venue.

An official said Modi is expected to land at Jaipur airport at 12.45 pm.

At 1.15 pm, Prime Minister Modi will reach SMS stadium. Thereafter, he will arrive at the venue in Amrudo ka bag at 1.15pm.

He will stay at the venue from 1.15pm to 2.15 pm, after which he leaves for the airport.