Raipur, 15 August 2021. In his message to public on the occasion of 75th Independence Day today, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel unveiled several historic gifts for people of the state. Furthering the process of Adminitrative Decentralization and reorganizing the districts in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister announced formation of the four new districts namely ‘Mohla-Manpur’, ‘Sakti’, ‘Sarangarh-Bilaigarh’, and ‘Manendragarh’. He also announced formation of 18 new tehsils in the state. Chief Minister also announced the launch of ‘Swamitva Yojana’ to provide the right to the land occupied by the people living on the ‘abadi’ land in rural areas.
After unfurling the flag at Police Parade Ground in capital city Raipur, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel extended his greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on Independence Day and announced simplification of the land transfer process to provide relief from the complexity of revenue related works in the state, development of gardens for women in the name of ‘Minimata’ in all the district headquarters and municipal corporations, and revoking the age-limit for admission in colleges of the state. Chief Minister said that the ‘Chief Minister Affordable Medicine Scheme’ (Mukhyamantri Sasti Dava Yojana) being implemented in the urban areas of the state has been renamed as ‘Shri Dhanwantri Yojana’. Besides, announcement regarding recruitment of more than 2 thousand 500 personnel on various posts in power companies and expansion of ‘Dial 112’ service across the state was also made. Chief Minister also announced the launch of Swamitva Scheme in the state to provide entitlements to the people occupying the land in the rural areas of the state.
Chief Minister remembered the Martyrs and their sacrifices
In his message to public, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that our country got independence on 15th August 1947 and today we are celebrating the 75th Independence Day. India has endured the oppression and rule of the British for more than two centuries. Thousands of sons and daughters of Mother India sacrificed their all to break the chains of slavery. Today we remember the sacrifices of those national heroes, freedom fighters and partiots, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and thousands of revolutionaries including Amar Shaheed Gaind Singh, Veer Narayan Singh, Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaq Ulla Khan, Rani Durgavati, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Veerangana Avanti Bai Lodhi, Lal-Bal-Pal, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. Bheemrao Ambedkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Remembering the great gems of Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister said in his message that great gems of Chhattisgarh- Veer Gundadhur, Pt. Ravi Shankar Shukla, Thakur Pyarelal Singh, Babu Chhotelal Srivastava, Dr. Khubchand Baghel, Pt. Sunderlal Sharma, Dr. E. Raghavendra Rao, Krantikumar, Barrister Chhedilal, Lochan Prasad Pandey, Yatiyatan Lal, Minimata, Dr. Radhabai, Pt. Vamanrao Lakhe, Mahant Laxminarayan Das, Anantram Barchiha, Maulana Abdul Rauf Khan, Hanuman Singh, Rohini Bai Parganiha, Kekti Bai Baghel, and their contribution and sacrifices for the state can never be forgotten. Today I once again pay my respects to all of them, said Chief Minister.
Tribute to Martyrdom
Chief Minister said that many sons of ‘Chhattisgarh Mahtari’ have also dedicated their lives for maintaining social harmony, for unity among citizens and for integrity of the country. Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was martyred in Uttar Pradesh, Mahatma Gandhi, Smt. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi was also martyred for the same values and principles. This tradition of martyrdom is so expansive that each state of the country has memories of such personalities, who should be remembered not only on special occasions but every day. I also salute the soldiers guarding the borders of the country and the lakhs of soldiers working in the security forces within the country. I thank them for making the citizens of the country feel safe, said Chief Minister.
’Nava Chhattisgarh’ to realize the dreams of our forefathers
Chief Minister further said in his message that 75th Independence Day is a milestone. On this day, we take pride on our heritage and realize our responsibility to build a New India in future. I am glad that that our campaign to build ‘Nava Chhattisgarh’, which we started three years back, has now begun to yield significant results in the state and has also given hope for a better tomorrow for the entire country. I am glad to say that our development model for Chhattisgarh is making the dreams of freedom lovers come true. Mahatma Gandhi had said – “violent means will always lead to violent freedom and can pose a serious threat to India and the world. Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh had said- They cannot kill our thoughts by crushing our people. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had said – The freedom we acheive through sacrifice and hard work, we can preserve it with our own strength. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had said – We must take humanity back to the moral roots from which both discipline and freedom are born. Lal Bahadur Shastri had said – It is not only the work of the soldiers to protect freedom, but the entire country will have to be strong. As the first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had said in his first speech – as long as people have tears in their eyes, our work will not be over. I want to say that there was so much power in the messages given by our ancestors and great leaders that the values of our country were shaped around their messages. These messages and values have inspired us to create ‘Nava Chhattisgarh’. Our first priority is truth, non-violence, peace, compassion, sensitivity, wiping the tears of the poor and giving strength to the weaker sections.
State Government making efforts for sustainable development in the state
In his message, Chief Minister said that after the formation of the state, it was an opportunity to end the imbalance of development in every part of the state, but it is ironic that the right efforts were not made in this direction. We have observed that the rural and forest areas in the state can be developed rapidly with the use of local resources and participation of local people, and thereby, the development gap between villages and cities can be bridged. It was also an irony that the land rights that the tribal and traditional forest dwelling communities could get from the distribution of Forest Rights Accreditation Letters (vanadhikar patta) were also not given properly. We decided to bring justice to the tribal communities and now within just three and a half years, we have issued individual forest rights letters on a large scale after reviewing the canceled claims. We have also distributed more than 44 thousand community forest rights certificates and more than 2 thousand 500 community forest resource rights certificates. Chhattisgarh has also become the leading state for distributing forest rights patta in urban areas.
Minor Forest Produce has become the biggest forest dwellers
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that forest produce is the biggest means of livelihood for tribal and forest-dependent families. Earlier tendupatta collectors were provided Rs 2500 per standard sack as wages, but we have increased the wage rate for tendupatta collection to Rs 4000 per standard sack. Earlier, only seven minor forest produces were procured at support price, but now 52 minor forest produces are procured at support price. We have increased the minimum support price for 17 of these forest produces. In this away, tribal people and forest-dependent families are earning additional annual income of more than Rs 500 crore. Quoting the detailed review by Government of India, Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh has procured minor forest produce worth Rs 1,173 crore in the last two years, which is 74% of the total procurement done in the country. When Government of India reviewed the implementation of Van Dhan and Minimum Support Price Scheme, Chhattisgarh was found to be leading in the country on 10 parameters. Besides, 15 women self-help groups of the state have been awarded for their excellent performance in forest produce processing.
Encouraging traditional arts and crafts
Chief Minister further said that State Government is taking consistent steps towards socio-economic development of people by refining the local resources and by encouraging the traditional arts and crafts. In the same sequence, Rajakkar Vikas Board, ‘Iron Craftsmen Development Board’, ‘Telghani Development Board’ and ‘Leather Craftsmen Development Board’ have been constituted. What we started through ‘Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana’ has now been converted into a long-term system of delivering justice. Scope of this scheme has been expanded to provide benefits on plantation of other prescribed crops and trees in lieu of paddy.
Record paddy procurement in Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister said that in last one year, 263 new paddy procurement centers were opened and 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from 20 lakh 53 thousand farmers at support price. In this way, Rs 17 thousand 240 crore were paid to the farmers as per the support price, which is the biggest record in the history of Chhattisgarh so far. Under ‘Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana’, an incentive amount of Rs 5 thousand 628 crore was distributed to the farmers selling various crops including paddy on support price, in the first year. In the second year of the scheme as well, more than Rs 1500 crore has been already transferred to the bank accounts of farmers as the first installment. Mr. Baghel promised that this year as well, an amount of Rs 5 thousand 703 crore will be provided to the farmers in four installments. It is my utmost belief that we will not only face every obstacle that comes in the way of getting justice to the farmers, but we will also win. Earlier we had waived the pending irrigation water cess worth Rs 244 crore of more than 17 lakh farmers as on 1st November 2018 and now once again we have decided to waive about Rs 80 crores of irrigation water tax pending till 30th June 2020.
Suraji Gaon Yojana has become the source of prosperity in rural areas
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that conservation and development of ‘Narva-Garua-Ghurua-Bari’ through ‘Suraji Gaon Yojana’ is a milestone. Furthermore, ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’ has encouraged the activities in Gauthan and conservation of cows. Today, when the cash inflow from cow dung has crossed Rs 1.25 crore, I can say that we have actually transformed cow-dung into ‘Godhan’, said Mr. Baghel. He added that Godhan will prove to be a boon for the rural and urban poor. New products like Vermi Compost, Super Compost, Super Compost Plus are now becoming the source of prosperity in rural areas. We believe that soon we will be able to free the soil of Chhattisgarh from toxic chemicals and we also aim to achieve a new position in the production of nutritious food grains.
Chief Minister spoke about the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Landless Agricultural Labourer Justice Scheme, that nearly 10 lakh labourers will be provided annual grant of Rs 6000 each under the scheme.
’Swamitva Yojana’ to provide ownership rights to the people residing on ‘abadi’ land
Chief Minister said that ‘Swamitva Yojana’ would be started in rural areas to provide the people residing on abadi land, the right of their occupied land. The ownership rights so provided will help a large number of people to avail housing loan and other facilities from the banks. The ban on the purchase and sale of small plots and registration was a kind of injustice, and to rectify this situation we decided to lift the ban on 1 January 2019. Today I am happy to say that many dreams of the middle classnand weaker sections of society have come true with this decision, said Mr. Baghel. As a result, registration of 2 lakh 28 thousand plots has been done. The 30 percent reduction in the guideline rates of land has been extended for the next one year. Rebate of 2 per cent in registration fee on purchase of residential buildings and additional exemption of 1 per cent in stamp duty on registration in favor of women has also been continued. ‘Rajiv Nagar Awas Yojana’ is being implemented by Chhattisgarh Housing Board. Economic concessions have been given to the beneficiaries of various housing schemes.
Land Transfer process to be simplified
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that to relieve people from the revenue-related complications, State Government has taken several steps. He announced that the process of land transfer will be simplified.
Eradication of malnutrition and anemia is our top priority
Chief Minister said that fulfilling the promise of universal PDS on priority, we are providing food grains at concessional rates to 2 crore 52 lakh people and the coverage of PDS has increased to 99 percent. For smooth and systematic distribution of food grains, 737 new fair price shops have been set up in the state in the last one year and names of 9 lakh new members have been added to the ration cards.
The 58 lakh ration card holders who were being provided free rice during the lockdown, will be provided free rice till November 2021. I believe that creating malnourished generations and leaving them in the whirlpool of disease and financial hardship was the greatest injustice done to our sisters and newborn babies. Our government has decided to make dedicated efforts to eradicate malnutrition and anemia as top priority. And as a result of ‘Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana’, the total number of malnourished children in the state has come down by 32%.
Continuing the implementation of Suposhan Abhiyan during the lockdown was a big challenge, but dedicated Anganbadi workers and assistants ensured continuous supply of ‘ready-to-eat’ food items to 26 lakh 27 thousand beneficiaries registered in the 51 thousand 583 centers at their doorstep. Chief Minister thanked all the aanganbadi workers and assistants who fulfilled their duties and went extra mile to ensure implementation of ‘Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana’ amid the pandemic.
Minimata Garden for Women
In his message, Chief Minister said that from the very beginning, we have adopted a strategy to make mothers in the state empowered and privileged. Many steps have been taken in this direction. Chief Minister announced that ‘Minimata Udyan’ i.e. a garden for women will be established in each and every district headquarters and municipal corporations.
Formation of four new districts and 18 new tehsils announced
Chief Minister said that the formation of new administrative units brings good news of justice in various fields. Earlier also we had created 4 new sub-divisions and 29 tehsils. The process of constituting 25 tehsils will be completed soon. On the occasion, Chief Minister announced the formation of 18 new tehsils in the state. Chief Minister said that our main objective is to bring the facilities of administration as close as possible to the people. Mr. Baghel had announced the formation of ‘Gaurela- Pendra-Marwahi’ district on 15 August 2019, within 8 months of becoming the Chief Minister. The new district was also constituted within 6 months. Taking the process of decentralization further while reorganizing the districts in the state, Chief Minister has announced the formation of four new districts ‘Mohla-Manpur’, ‘Sakti’, ‘Sarangarh-Bilaigarh’ and ‘Manendragarh’.
Swami Atmanand English Medium School Scheme
Chief Minister said that despite the challenges of pandemic, children were continuously provided education through various innovative practices.Online classes and ‘Para-Mohalla’ classes were conducted during the lockdown to keep the learning process going for the children. Besides, to improve the quality of education at school-level, ‘Swami Atmanand English Medium School Scheme’ is being implemented and 171 government schools have been upgraded and fully equipped. I am happy that the children of our state have shown a strong desire for education in English medium. A total of 1 lakh 36 thousand 500 children have taken admission in these schools, out of which 70 thousand children are from English medium and 66 thousand 500 children are from Hindi medium Schools, said Mr. Baghel.
Chief Minister said that in this way the children of both English and Hindi medium are being benefited from the upgraded infrastructure in the school. We are planning to take this scheme to the block level. We have also made concerted efforts to solve the problem of lack of teachers in schools. Appointment letters have been issued to 14 thousand 580 teachers in government schools. At the same time, appointment on 1 thousand 440 posts of assistant professors, bookkeepers, sports officers etc is also in process. In this way, we are creating an atmosphere of quality meaningful education in the state by freeing the education world from uncertainty and apprehensions.
No Age-limit for admission in colleges
Chief Minister said that in the prevailing system, there is an age-limit for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the colleges of the state. Today, I announce to abolish this age-limit in the interest of youth pursuing higher education.
Chief Minister Affordable Medicine Scheme now renamed as Dhanvantari Yojana
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said in his message that ‘Mukhyamantri Sasti Dava Yojana’ (Chief Minister Affordable Medicine Scheme) is being implemented in urban areas to provide medicines at concessional rates to the people of the state. Now this scheme has been renamed as ‘Shri Dhanwantri Yojana’. Due to our prompt decision making process, COVID situation in Chhattisgarh was far better than other states. We are working consistently to prevent the third wave of COVID-19 in Chhattisgarh. Mr. Baghel appealed people to continue to take precautions and not to be negligent towards COVID protocol. Chief Minister requested people to avoid crowds, to wear masks properly, to keep washing hands with soap and to get both the doses of vaccine on time. Any carelessness in this regard is harmful. The safest way to avoid infection is ‘caution’. I salute the front line warriors fighting ‘Corona’, while paying my respectful tributes to the people of the state who have died due to Corona, I express my condolences to all the bereaved families.
Recruitment of 2500 workers in power companies
Chief Minister said that even in the power sector, due to incomplete schemes, huge investments remained underutilized and projects were stalled. That’s why we have set priorities in the power sector as well. We have completed projects of ultra high pressure transmission system worth Rs 500 crore, projects worth about Rs 2 thousand 700 crore for distribution system, the benefits of which are now reaching various sectors. And now fresh projects are being implemented to bring more improvement and stability in the quality of power supply in the state. 39 lakh 63 thousand people have been benefited under ‘Half Bijli Bill Yojna’. Chief Minister said that more than 2 thousand 500 workers are being recruited on various posts in power companies ranging from Junior Engineer to the posts of line attendant working at the field level. It is the first time when such a large scale recruitment is taking place in the power company, under which domiciles of Chhattisgarh will be given appointment. Advertisements have been issued for recruitment on 1 thousand 500 posts of line attendant.
Capital investment of Rs 18 thousand 492 crore in the state
Chief Minister said that we heartily welcome any person or organization that comes to the state for value addition to the resources of Chhattisgarh. Mr. Baghel said that nearly 1 thousand 145 new industries have been established in the state in the last two and a half years with a capital investment of Rs 18 thousand 492 crore, providing direct employment to more than 28 thousand people. Important MoUs have also been signed for investing more than Rs 51,000 crore in major industries, which is proposed to provide direct employment to 72,000 local people. We have created new employment opportunities in every sector like government, semi-government, private, urban-rural-forest. Many have been given compassionate appointment, after relaxing the rules. People from the third gender community have been recruited in the police force. Unemployment rate has declined from 22 percent to 3 percent, an independent agency estimates.
Recruitment of 2800 posts under Bastar Fighters Battalion
Chief Minister said- “I am happy that the problems that were pending for many years in Chhattisgarh have been resolved in past three-and-a-half years and now new colors of development have started emerging everywhere in the state. State Government has made significant progress in curbing the problem of Naxalism. Recruitment will be done on 2800 posts under the ‘Bastar Fighters’ battalion. 63 police station buildings are being constructed in Naxal affected districts. Action plan for modernization of police force has been approved.
Dial 112 service is now available across the state
Considering the utility of ‘Dial 112’ service, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has announced that this service would be expanded across the state. Several steps such as crisis fund, spandan, Shaheed Samman Nidhi, Merit Scholarship, Empathy Cell in police stations, Bal Mitra Cell, Women Help Desh, State Cyber Police Station etc. have been taken to create awareness about public interests and to keep police force stress-free. In the same way, we are equipping the police force with new amenities. Chief Minister said that it is an irony that even while celebrating the 75th Independence Day, we are still dealing with the reactionary forces that were on rise in year 1947 as well. To understand the value of our freedom, it is important to realize who and what is encouraging these evil forces to weaken the foundation of our values of peace, non-violence, and communal harmony.
Chhattisgarh will become a state of new hopes and possibilities
Referring to the great Constitution of independent India, Chief Minister said that today, standing in the shade of this holy tricolor, we once again take a pledge to follow the principles of the Constitution, on the path of Gandhi-Nehru-Ambedkar, no matter how difficult and full of challenges the path may be. I believe that the new concept of development being formulated in the country, on the lines of Chhattisgarh’s development model, will create the new era of harmony, inclusion and trust in the country. And in this way Chhattisgarh will become the state of new state of hopes and possibilities for the country. Chhattisgarh will be gain the reputation as a center of national pride. This is the kind of Nava Chhattisgarh we are determined to create.
Chairman of Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation Mr. Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Women Mrs. Kiranmayi Nayak, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Fishermen Welfare Board Mr. MR Nishad, Vice Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Scheduled Tribes Commission Mrs. Rajkumari Dewan, Chief Secretary Mr. Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Shri DM Awasthi and other dignitaries and officials were present on the occasion.
