Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale has said that his ministry is giving special focus in the northeast states including Manipur in the implementation of various social security schemes. Speaking at a Press Conference held at Imphal this evening, Mr Athawale said that the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been taking up various developmental and social security schemes. The Minister arrived at Imphal yesterday on his two days visit to Manipur.<br />'' <br />'' He highlighted various achievements of the schemes implemented in Manipur through his Ministry. He said that his ministry has released 195.43 crore rupees under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) scheme during the 2014-22 and benefited a total of 10.18 lakh people. A total of 3.52 lakh people have been benefited by providing loans under PMMY amounting to 1881.07 crore rupees in the state during the period 2015-22 till date.<br />'' <br />'' He also said that free LPG connection has been provided to about 1.79 lakh below poverty line families in the state and his Ministry has also released required funds for construction of 16,000 houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and 6,000 houses under PMAY (Urban) during the same period.<br />''<br />''The Union Minister also met the state Chief Minister this evening. He will leave Imphal for New Delhi tomorrow after attending some local engagements.