Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that Bastar will be included in the Chhattisagrh Government’s ‘Digital Highway’ which will be a catalyst in bringing
about a new revolution of development of a knowledge-based society, opportunity and economy.
It will also enhance the transparency, accuracy and accountability of Government services, the Chief Minister said while disclosing details on implementation of the ‘Bastar Net’ project in his Independence Day speech delivered at the Police Parade ground here on August 15.
He said that owing to its geographical conditions, it is necessary to ensure mobile and internet connectivity in Bastar.
Under this project, 832 kms long optical fibre cable will be laid at the cost of 40 crore. This network will be built with ‘ring network’ so that it may provide uninterrupted mobile and internet connectivity through alternative routes, the Chief Minister said.
Singh in his speech also appreciated farmers of the State for holding onto patience and courage during the tough times of drought.
He said that the State Government has also taken every possible relief measure for farmers and nearly Rs 2,000 crore have been spent on these relief works.
The Chief Minister said that a target of ensuring electricity supply in all the villages of the State by year 2018 had been fixed.
He said that solar power projects has been launched for farmers of the areas where it is difficult to provide electricity connection.
Under this scheme, 51,000 solar pumps will be installed in upcoming three years.
He announced that Solar Power Plant of 100 MW each will be established in Rajnandgaon, Raigarh and Janjgir-Champa districts.
After unfurling the Tricolour at police parade ground, the Chief Minister took salute of combined parade of Chhattisgarh Police, Home Guard, Chhattisgarh Armed Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police personnel, and students of NCC, NSS and Scouts & Guides of India.
For the first time, personnel of Jharkhand Police Force also participated in the parade.
The Chief Minister took a round of parade ground in an open-vehicle to greet the public gathering there. School students presented patriotic cultural programme later during the celebrations.
Singh extended warm greetings of Independence Day to people of the State and said that to understand the importance of independence, we need to understand the sacrifices of those brave warriors, for whom prestige and pride of Mother India was above everything, who had ‘Vande Mataram’ imprinted in their hearts and who were ready to sacrifice their lives to end the bane of slavery.
The Chief Minister said that it is the responsibility of upcoming generations to realise the dreams of martyrs. After independence, the nation has come far in the journey of development, but owing to the lack of right direction, justice for all could not be ensured, he said.
Right from Assembly election in year 2003, we have actually got the opportunity to end the disappointment of six decades and ensure all-round development.
Now Chhattisgarh is known for its initiatives in fast-pace and inclusive development, Singh said.
More than 32 lakh farmers of the State have been provided ‘Soil Health Cards’ so that they may sow high-yielding crops as per their farms. For this, 26 laboratories and 111 small laboratories have been established.
Dantewada, Bijapur, and Gariaband districts are being made complete organic districts and one development block in remaining 23 districts are being developed as organic farming area, he said.
This year, implementation of Prime Minister Agriculture Irrigation Scheme is also
going to start, under which 40-60 per cent subsidy will be provided for establishing Drip Irrigation equipment.
For protection of horticulture crops, the scheme of fencing construction has
been initiated under which farmers are provided financial aid, Singh said.
The Chief Minister said that to provide effective public facilities using information technology, 5,000 public service centres have been started, which are providing 37 types of Government services.
A total of 175 centres operating in district or tehsil offices have issued nearly 16 lakh certificates in last one-and-a-half years. New scheme is being formulated to establish such centres in all the Gram Panchayats, he said.
Rules related to appointment on compassionate grounds on demise of a Government servant during service period have been amended to make married daughter, sister or daughter-in-law eligible for appointment on compassionate grounds, Singh said.
The Chief Minister said that left Wing Extremism (lWE) had emerged as an obstacle in the way of overall, consolidated and inclusive development of Chhattisgarh.
“We have succeeded in exposing the true face of anti-national, anti-democratic
and anti-constitution elements at national level, and now we are heading towards uprooting these elements decisively”, he said.
Strategy for security and development of insurgency-infested areas is proving effective. Recently Central Government has decided to form ‘Bastariya Battalion’ of CRPF.
I wish Bastariya Battalion becomes the symbol of bravery and courage of youngsters in Bastar Division, Singh said.