Appreciation of small forest produce products of Vananchal and excellent artwork of local artisans
Distribution of materials and funds worth Rs 06 crore to about 13 thousand beneficiaries.
Raipur, 06 October 2023
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel and Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi, during their stay in Kanker of Bastar division, visited various departmental stalls set up in the premises of the Municipal Body and Panchayati Raj Mahasammelan organized there. During the observation, Mrs. Gandhi especially appreciated the innovative schemes being run by the Chhattisgarh government and described it as exemplary for the welfare of the general public including tribals and forest dwellers. During this period, he also distributed materials, loan approval sheets, cheques, grants, forest rights recognition letters etc. worth Rs 5 crore 78 lakh 31 thousand to a total of 12 thousand 730 beneficiaries under the beneficiary oriented schemes of various departments.
Mr. Baghel and Mrs. Gandhi greatly appreciated the model of connectivity revolution of the LWE affected area during the inspection at the Municipal Body and Panchayati Raj Mahasammelan premises. Under this, in the last 5 years, 1,460 roads of 4,599 km length have been constructed in the remote forest areas, which connect Bastar Kondagaon, Kanker, Dantewada, Sukma, Narayanpur and Bijapur.
Similarly, the guests also visited the traditional art stall of Bastar division. In the last three years, 105 women groups have been trained and linked to employment in the handloom weaving training center here. Meanwhile, Mrs. Gandhi spun yarn using the charkha and also did artistic coloring in the lamp in the clay art stall. He observed the products made from bell metal, the famous art of North Bastar. Here the women’s group has been linked to self-employment through bell metal.
During the inspection in the stall, the students of Swami Atmanand English Medium School welcomed Mrs. Gandhi by garlanding her with a garland made of bamboo. Girl students studying in class 11th and 12th also took photographs with Mrs. Gandhi. While encouraging the students, Mrs. Gandhi also told them all the best and we are proud of you. Under the special scheme of the government, 8 people of third gender have also been given the job of constable in the district. Mrs. Gandhi discussed with third gender constables Ratnu, Divya Nishad and Suraj Kumar and appreciated this scheme of the government.
Mrs. Gandhi visited the stall of the Health Department. While observing the Hub and Spoke Model Hummer Lab, got information about the activities conducted in the lab here. Mrs. Gandhi praised the malaria-free Bastar campaign. This campaign was carried out in eight phases, which has led to a significant reduction in positive cases, mortality and API rates.
Meanwhile, beneficiary Mrs. Pyari Tandia told that she has received an income of Rs 3 lakh from cow rearing. It is noteworthy that RIPA is being operated in 14 Gauthans here, in which 39 activities are being conducted, so far the group has sold products worth Rs 51 lakh. Income generating activities have provided employment to 430 people and Rs 7.22 crore has been paid to cow dung sellers so far.
During the stall inspection, Mrs. Gandhi and Chief Minister Mr. Baghel also appreciated the local products and excellent artwork of the artisans here. He observed 133 types of herbal products and 21 types of millets products collected from forests and manufactured by tribal women in the name of Chhattisgarh Herbal Brand. On this occasion, handmade items were presented as gifts to the guests. Increase in employment and income from Forest Produce Processing Unit, Millets Mahtari Café, Kodo Kutki and Ragi Processing, Maize Processing Centre, Mrs. Gandhi interacted with the beneficiaries and praised the products.
