Kumar Bahukhandi
IN Short
- We are committed to the rapid development of the state, cracking down on corruption, and ending Naxalism.
- Farmers will receive the difference in paddy purchases before Holi.
- 125 days of employment will be provided under the ‘Ji Ram Ji Yojana’.
- More than 5 lakh houses constructed in just 10 months under the PM Awas Yojana.
- 10,700 crore rupees approved for irrigation facilities in two years.
Raipur: Expressing gratitude for the Governor’s address in the Assembly , Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the state government is moving forward with a commitment to good governance, development, and security.
He said that the government has taken a strong stand against corruption, and many people involved in it are now behind bars. He said that 7 crore trees have been planted under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, and that large-scale tree plantations are also being used to compensate for the trees cut under the industrial policy. He said, “I am happy to inform the House that, according to a report published by the Indian Forest Conservation Department, Dehradun, there has been an increase of 683 square kilometers in forest and tree cover in Chhattisgarh.
This achievement is extremely important and a matter of pride for the state.”
The Chief Minister stated that the government is waging a decisive battle against Naxalism and expressed hope that Naxalism will be completely eradicated from Chhattisgarh by March 31st. He said that while schools were previously burned and arms factories were operating, today a new wave of development is flowing in Bastar. Schools are operating, hospitals are opening, and people are receiving proper treatment.
The rehabilitation policy has yielded positive results, and a large number of Naxalites have surrendered.
The Chief Minister said that despite being a larger state than Keralam, the expected development did not occur in the past, but now the state is rapidly expanding infrastructure. This year, 54,000 artists have registered for the Bastar Pandum, a symbol of cultural renaissance. Homestays are being promoted, providing employment to local people.
Chief Minister Sai stated that in the past two years, 1,03,855 trees have been felled for mining purposes in mining cases approved under the Forest Conservation Act, while in lieu of this, over 3 million saplings have been planted in mining and industrial areas. We have planted approximately 70 million trees in two years under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
Referring to the Tribal Museum in Naya Raipur, he said that thousands of tourists are visiting the site, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has also praised it. He informed that the Ramlala Darshan Yojana has been launched to enable the people of the state to visit Ram Lalla, which has benefited 42,000 people. More than 5,000 people have also benefited from the Chief Minister’s Darshan Yojana.
The Charan Paduka Yojana, which was discontinued by the previous government, has been restarted.
The Chief Minister said that over 500,000 houses have been completed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in the past 10 months, the highest in the country. Paddy has been purchased from farmers at a rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal for up to 21 quintals, and the difference will be provided to farmers before Holi. While the previous government had approved Rs 5,700 crore for the irrigation sector, the current government has approved Rs 10,700 crore.
The Chief Minister informed that recruitment for 32,000 posts is underway in the state, and a new act will be introduced to streamline this process. ‘Antariksh Sangwari’ was also inaugurated in Naya Raipur. Government employees will be provided with cashless medical treatment. He also informed that projects worth over Rs 47,000 crore are underway in the railway sector. Describing the ‘Ji Ram Ji Yojana’ as superior to MNREGA, the Chief Minister said that it will provide 125 days of employment instead of 100.
The government intends to move beyond half electricity bills and move towards free electricity bills, for which subsidies are being provided on solar panel installation. Bio-CNG plants are being set up by GAIL and BPCL through the Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority (CBDA) in eight municipal corporations across the state.
Chief Minister Sai said that we have created a new department for good governance and convergence. Its mandate is to move forward with a new approach, incorporating technology and best practices in governance, beyond conventional methods.
We have implemented the e-office system; files are now processed through computers, and officials are required to write their opinions and forward them within a set timeframe. This has not only brought transparency but also saved time. We are expanding this system from the state level to the district level. We are implementing digital governance in all departments so that work is done quickly and people do not have to wait and wait.
The Chief Minister said that we are moving from half electricity to free electricity. The Pradhan Mantri Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme is a meaningful initiative by the Prime Minister regarding green energy. We have so far illuminated more than 27,000 homes in Chhattisgarh with solar energy.
Consumers receive subsidy benefits from the central government, and we are also providing subsidy benefits to consumers in the state. I appeal to all citizens of the state to take advantage of the Prime Minister’s Solar Home Free Electricity Scheme and enjoy free electricity for the next 25 years.
Chief Minister Sai said that under the Amrit Station Scheme, 32 railway stations in the state are being modernised to provide better facilities to rail passengers. Work on five stations has been completed. Vande Bharat Express services have been launched for Nagpur and Visakhapatnam. Rail projects worth ₹51,000 crore are underway in the state.
The construction of important rail lines such as Raoghat-Jagdalpur and Kharsia-Parmalkasa will accelerate the state’s development. Communication connectivity is as important today as roads. Our government has approved 500 new mobile towers, which will further improve connectivity.
Chief Minister Sai stated that to improve the quality of healthcare services, we are establishing five new medical colleges in the state. Groundbreaking ceremonies have already been held in Manendragarh, Kabirdham, Janjgir-Champa, and Dantewada districts, and land allocation is underway in Kunkuri. Robotic surgery has now begun at AIIMS, a vision envisioned by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Chief Minister Sai stated that the Prime Minister launched the largest healthcare program in the country, Ayushman Bharat, through which ₹4,551 crore has been allocated. The Prime Minister also established Health and Wellness Centers, which began in Chhattisgarh.
We have implemented this as a rationalisation measure. During the previous government, remote rural schools were completely teacherless. Even in schools that had teachers, there was generally only one teacher per 100 students. Most teachers had moved to urban schools, and in some urban schools, the ratio was even one teacher for every ten students. We addressed this problem through rationalisation. Now, we have established quality education by posting teachers in rural schools as well.
Chief Minister Sai said that India’s youth are achieving great things around the world. Last year, I met Avinash Tiwari, a young man from Bastar, in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. Avinash works for a prestigious company there. I was delighted to see the talent of Chhattisgarh shine in the land of the rising sun. Our youth is our greatest strength.
To ensure that the administrative system functions efficiently and maximizes the use of youth energy, we are recruiting for over 32,000 posts. The Chief Minister stated that the state government’s objective is to take Chhattisgarh to new heights of development, security, and good governance.
