Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has said that the rural economy could be strengthened by promoting cottage industries.

Inaugurating the 'Saras Mela' at the Science College ground here on Tuesday night the Chief Minister said that the fair would provide an opportunity for visitors to buy food products manufactured by women Self Help Groups (SHGs)

Baghel exhorted the SHG members to help conserve Narva, Gurva and Badi.

He said that a cow shelter would be created at Dhaneli villages as well as a grazing ground in Raipur district.

In due course, a Milk Collection Centre and a retail outlet will be opened at Dhaneli villages and later across the State. He said that animal husbandry has been inseparable part of rural tradition. Baghel said that Dhaneli village of Raipur district will be developed as model village for cowshed and grazing ground. Proper drinking water and shade facilities will be provided for cattle. In new future, this village will be developed as collection and distribution centre for milk. On the same lines, other villages of the states will be developed.

The Chief Minister addressed the audiences in Chhattisgarhi dialect, saying that in this exhibition, women from Bijapur to Surguja district of Chattisgarh are participating, along with women self-help groups from Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Hariyana, Jammu-Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand.

Baghel visited various stalls in the the exhibition and appreciated the efforts of SHGs. Urban Administration and Labour Minister Dr Shiv Kumar Dahariya said that state government is aiming to empower women and make them economically self-reliant as well as a major contributor in realizing the vision of 'Gadbo Nava Chhattisgarh’.