Union Minister of State for Co-operation and North Eastern Region Development B.L Verma says the union government is focussing on areas like youth power, women power, farmers and the poor while leading the country along the path of development. Inaugurating the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Programme in Kozhikode of Kerala, the Minister said over 13.41 crore people were brought out of poverty during the past nine years.<br />''  <br />'' The Minister listed out various welfare schemes implemented by the union government, which immensely benefitted the people. He said besides providing free rations, houses and toilets, the government distributed 6,000 rupees directly to the farmers under the PM Kissan Samman Nidhi. He said over 13 and a half crore families have been provided drinking water connections in the country, of which 36 lakh 63 thousand are in Kerala.<br />''