Chhattisgarh Sets Example with Agricultural Embrace, Says Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi

• Key Announcements and Development Unveiled at Mahasammelan

TFP Bureau, Raipur, Oct 06, 2023: The distinguished guests Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi and Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel attended the “Nagariya Nikay evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammelan” held at Govindpur Sports Ground in Kanker district on October 6. In her address to the gathering, Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi praised Chhattisgarh for standing out as a state where people are wholeheartedly embracing agriculture. She attributed this shift to the state government’s commitment to ensuring fair prices for farmers’ produce. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel adorned her with a ‘Gaur Sing Mukut’ and shared her grandmother’s views about the Bastar region, emphasizing the deep respect the tribal people have for nature.

During the event, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel made several significant announcements. He declared the reinstatement of the old pension scheme for Chhattisgarh State Power Company employees, an increase in the promotion ratio for police sub-inspectors from 33 percent to 40 percent, the appointment of teachers to teach in local dialects such as Halbi, Gondi, Surgujiha, and Bhatari, and the naming of the Agriculture College Pakhanjur after the late Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

A slew of development projects worth Rs. 866 crore was dedicated to Kanker district. The Chief Minister also performed the bhoomipoojan for the Kanker Medical College, which will be built at a cost of Rs. 321.71 crore. Additionally, he launched the ‘Purkhati Kagzat’ and ‘Tana Bana’ booklets.

Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi emphasized the importance of decentralizing decision-making through the Panchayati Raj system, bringing democracy directly to the people and ensuring that village-level work is carried out within the villages themselves. She commended the role of panchayats and urban bodies in India’s governance system and recognized the dedication with which these responsibilities are fulfilled. She noted that the Chhattisgarh Government operates on a foundation of trust, attributing the faith in the government to the continuation of Chhattisgarh’s traditions. Mrs. Gandhi recalled the historical engagement of leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi in understanding the people’s issues during their visits to the region. She also referenced the iconic image of Indira Gandhi dancing with tribal women during her visit to Bastar in 1972. Mrs. Gandhi emphasized that trust in the state government has been built through public representatives’ collective efforts to comprehend the community’s challenges.

She praised the legacy of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her visit to the region, recalling Indira Ji’s interaction with Swami Atmanand ji and her commitment to providing education for local children. She acknowledged Chief Minister Mr. Baghel’s efforts in establishing Swami Atmanand schools in various locations, making English education more accessible, and improving the prospects of underprivileged children. Mrs. Gandhi mentioned that Bastar has transformed into a renowned brand. She highlighted the Millet Mission’s success, millets’ nutritional value, and their positive impact on health. Efforts have been made to boost tribal income through the cultivation of Kodo-Kutki and Ragi, resulting in increased employment opportunities and higher incomes for local residents. Mrs. Gandhi praised Chhattisgarh’s growing reputation nationally and internationally, emphasizing the happiness of both farmers and villagers as a testament to the state’s progress and development.

Mrs. Gandhi highlighted that the Chhattisgarh Government is offering the highest paddy procurement prices in the country. She mentioned that the state government has provided rights and properties to the people. The state government’s efforts through various welfare-oriented schemes have alleviated 40 lakh individuals out of poverty in just five years. Mrs. Gandhi lauded the success of the Gauthan Scheme in addressing the issue of stray animals, distinguishing Chhattisgarh from other states. She further mentioned that the state government has implemented numerous women-centric schemes, including increased honorarium for Anganwadi workers and Mitanins and improved education for girls. Mrs. Gandhi expressed delight in witnessing the daughters of Bastar speaking in English, reflecting the positive impact of these initiatives on the region’s youth.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel acknowledged the pivotal role played by the late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi in introducing the Panchayati Raj system through the 73rd and 74th amendments, which included the provision of one-third reservation for women. Mr. Baghel praised the progress made since the implementation of Panchayati Raj, with women representatives actively participating at various levels of governance, even serving as mayors. He emphasized his government’s commitment to improving the lives of women in Chhattisgarh, granting them dignity and opportunities for advancement. The Chief Minister also highlighted the recent voter list publication, revealing that 57 constituencies now have more women voters, underscoring Chhattisgarh’s commitment to gender equality. He reaffirmed the absence of discrimination between sons and daughters in the state. He also shared the ongoing efforts to strengthen the Panchayati system, including the implementation of the PESA law and the return of tribal land in Lohandiguda by the state government.

The Chief Minister highlighted the state government’s efforts towards tribal development, such as an increase in tendupatta collection, the purchase of 67 minor forest produce at MSP, and the creation of employment opportunities for two lakh women. Additionally, he also mentioned the establishment of 300 industrial parks in the state. He shared that the Chhattisgarh Government is following the path paved by Mahatma Gandhi. He mentioned the launch of the Millet Mission in the state and the production of 22 food items in Nathiyanawagaon. Providing fair pricing for farmers’ products is a key focus for the state government. Mr. Baghel recalled the decision of the tribal people to entrust the coal field to the government rather than to private hands like Jamshed Ji Tata. Former Prime Minister Mr. Nehru started the construction of the Bhilai Steel Plant. He underscored the importance of public enterprises as national assets and shared the state government’s consistent efforts for the overall progress and prosperity of the people.

Assembly Speaker Dr. Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. T.S. Singh Deo, former Union Minister Ms. Kumari Selja, School Education Minister Mr. Ravindra Choubey, Food Minister Mr. Amarjeet Bhagat, UAD Minister Dr. Shiv Kumar Dahariya, Scheduled Caste and Tribal Development Minister Mr. Mohan Markam, MP Mr. Deepak Baij, Rajya Sabha MP Mrs. Phulodevi Netam, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Shishupal Shori, MLA Dr. Lakshmi Dhruv, Mrs. Savitri Mandavi, Mr. Anoop Nag, Mr. Kunwar Singh Nishad, local public representatives, and a large number of people were present.

Key Announcements by Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel at the Mahasammelan

1. Reinstatement of the old pension scheme in place of the new pension scheme for approximately 10 thousand employees appointed in state power companies on and after April 1, 2004.

2. Increase in promotion to the posts of Police Sub Inspectors from 33 percent to 40 percent.

3. Agriculture College Pakhanjoorr, to be named after former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

4. Appointment of teachers for teaching in local dialects like Halbi, Gondi, Surgujiha, Bhatra, and Bangla.

5. Construction of a high-level bridge on the Mahanadi River in Charama development block Tanhkapar.

6. Widening of the Kanker Narharpur road to be completed soon.

7. Establishment of a tribal library.

8. Construction of a bridge from Antagarh to Ghoragaon, Anjari Road.

Development Unveiled for Kanker District

At the “Nagariya Nikay Evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammelan”, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel unveiled development works worth Rs. 866 crore for Kanker district. Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi attended the program as a special guest.

The development projects unveiled include bhoomipoojan of 277 construction works worth Rs. 550.13 crore and the inauguration of 241 works worth Rs. 316.03 crore. Goods worth about Rs. 5.78 crore were distributed to 12 thousand 730 beneficiaries of the district under various schemes. Specifically, bhoomipoojan for 120 works worth Rs. 84.22 crore and the inauguration of 86 construction works worth Rs. 261.61 crore were done for Antagarh assembly constituency alone. Similarly, under Bhanupratappur assembly constituency, bhoomipoojan for 103 works costing a total of Rs. 427.46 crore and the inauguration of 91 works costing Rs. 36.73 crore were completed.

In Kanker Assembly constituency, the Chief Minister performed bhoomipoojan of 54 construction works costing Rs. 38.43 crore and inaugurated 64 construction works costing Rs. 17.67 crore. These projects encompass hostel buildings, roads, bridge-culverts, Devgudi, fair price shop cum warehouse, waiting rooms, Anganbadi buildings, Muktidham, Ghotul, community toilets, seed processing units, community and social buildings, Nal-Jal Praday Yojana, and additional rooms, market shed construction, theater, and auditorium. At the event, the Chief Minister and other guests distributed goods, loan approval letters, cheques, grants, forest rights recognition letters, and more worth Rs. 5.78 crore to a total of 12 thousand 730 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes of different departments.

Visit to Departmental Stalls and Appreciation for Local Artisans

During their visit to Kanker in the Bastar division, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel and Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi visited various departmental stalls set up at the Nagariya Nikay evam Panchayati Raj Mahasammelan event. They distributed goods, approved loan sheets, cheques, financial grants, and forest rights recognition letters worth a total of Rs. 5 crore 78 lakh 31 thousand to 12,730 beneficiaries under various welfare schemes of different departments.

At the stalls, they commended the innovative schemes implemented by the Chhattisgarh Government, describing them as exemplary for the welfare of the general public, including tribals and forest dwellers. They observed the model of connectivity revolution in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected area, where 1460 roads spanning a total length of 4599 kilometres have been constructed over the last 5 years, connecting Bastar, Kondagaon, Kanker, Dantewada, Sukma, Narayanpur, and Bijapur.

They also visited the traditional art stall of the Bastar division, where they praised the work of artisans trained and employed through the handloom weaving training center. Smt. Gandhi personally engaged in spinning yarn using the charkha and participated in artistic colouring at the Matikala stall. They observed the products crafted from bell metal, a famous art form in North Bastar, which has enabled women’s groups to achieve self-employment through bell metal craftsmanship.

Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi interacted with beneficiaries and praised the quality of the products during her visit. She expressed appreciation for local products and the outstanding artwork of the artisans, particularly the tribal women, and observed 133 types of herbal products and 21 types of millet products under the brand name ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’. Handmade items were presented as gifts to the guests on this occasion. While inspecting various livelihood activities, they engaged in discussions with beneficiaries and praised the government’s initiatives.

Investing in Tribal Development and Public Enterprises

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel highlighted the state government’s efforts towards tribal development, including an increase in tendupatta collection, the purchase of 67 minor forest produce at MSP, and the creation of employment opportunities for two lakh women. He also mentioned the establishment of 300 industrial parks in the state and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to public enterprises as national assets, consistently working for the overall progress and prosperity of the people.

The event witnessed the participation of numerous dignitaries, government officials, and local public representatives, making it a significant occasion for the state and its people.