Chief Minister Raman Singh said that the New Year will be the year of new ideas, new resolutions, new schemes and new achievements.
He stated that in 2014, Chhattisgarh Government has succeeded in chalking out and implementing action plans for different sections of society, in various sectors of development. Singh was addressing a function organised to release Government’s official diary-calendar at conference hall of New Circuit House here.
On the occasion, Singh threw light upon State Government’s new resolutions for New Year 2015. He said that Government’s main duty is to finalise policies, chalk out programmes and projects and implement the same effectively. “State Government has successfully won the confidence of public in 2014 in all the three fronts,’’ Singh claimed.
Chief Minister said that in 2014, Chhattisgarh scored many important achievements including zero-interest loan facility for farmers, education loan at 1 per cent interest rate for youth, interest-free education loan in Naxal-affected areas, free education facility for girls up to graduation, engineering-polytechnic and medical, astroturf and international hockey stadiums in Rajnandgaon and Raipur, medical college in Rajnandgaon, formation of Zila Panchayats in nine new districts, formation of two new municipal corporations and 15 new municipal councils, national awards in MNREGA and literacy, Krishi Karman Award, livelihood colleges opened in 25 out of 27 districts of State, etc.
Singh said that Prime Minister has given the slogan of “Make in India”, on the lines of which Chhattisgarh Government is all set to introduce the new policy of “Make in Chhattisgarh” with an objective to achieve the vision of Prime Minister. He informed that keeping in view the innovations in information technology sector, formation of new neighbouring State and activities of other adjacent States, Chhattisgarh will modify its IT policy.
He added that biotechnology has got immense scope and potential. Modifications in this policy are to be introduced as per the new requirements. Hence, a new BT policy will be released in year 2015. Singh said that minor forest produce is a major source of income for forest dwellers in Chhattisgarh. Moreover, it also plays an important role in the economy. This policy will be modified to suit the needs of forest dwellers.
He that as per the vision of Prime Minister, separate physical and financial targets have been finalised in rural and urban areas. Special emphasis will be laid on utilisation of entire hygiene budget in various departments. Strict compliance to a ban imposed on plastic will be ensured. Integrated Programme Vigilance Committee led by Chief Secretary will be formed to ensure effective action with mutual coordination of various departments in prescribed time-limit. Singh said that hygiene and cleanliness are not mere campaigns, rather it is a way of life. Hence, extensive public awareness and participation in this work will be ensured.
Singh said that significant steps have been taken in the direction of achieving the target of “Skilled Chhattisgarh Formation” on the lines of ‘Skilled India Formation’. “Our target is to provide skill development training to youngsters of State so that they can have better means of livelihood,” Singh remarked. About Jan Dhan Beema Yojana, Singh said that under this national programme, State Government has opened bank accounts of 90 per cent families in a very short span.
“State Government is of the opinion that as soon as the target of this national programme is achieved, bank accounts should be associated with various Government subsidy schemes so as to benefit the eligible beneficiaries,’’ he opined. Chief Minister claimed that Chhattisgarh has become the role model State for Shram Kalyan Yojana. To actualise the vision of “Shramev Jayate”, Chhattisgarh Government has implemented various schemes that benefits over 10 lakh labourers of organised and unorganised sector.
This includes schemes of free bicycle, sewing machine, scholarship, training, ambulance, izzat card etc. He further said said that on the lines of “Digital India”, State Government is formulating the idea of “Digital Chhattisgarh”. “With efficient use of technology, good governance, transparency and convenience for public will be ensured. Media like 4G/Broadband will be utilised to connect cities, villages and colleges of the State,’’ Singh summed up his speech with the remark.