Laying out the priority of construction works under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday called for vermi-tank at Gauthans and platform-cum-shed in all paddy procurement centres.
He was addressing the Chhattisgarh Rural Employment Guarantee Council meeting held virtually from his official residence. Panchayat and Rural Development Minister T.S. Singh Deo and other Ministers were present.
According to an official communication, Baghel stated that based on demand of Gauthan Committees, immediate approval should be given for construction of tanks.
This year, under MGNREGA, the target is for building 5500 Gauthan. Already, work on 4,500 has been completed across the state. He directed the construction of a Livelihood centre where women self-help groups are active.
With the paddy procurement season in offing, the Chief Minister laid stress on early construction of platform-cum-shed at the procurement centres.
Each centre should have a minimum of one structure. The meeting was told that 4,649 platforms were sanctioned and 4,630 had been constructed.
The meeting decided to send a proposal to the Central government to link agriculture work with MGNREGA, hike in wages and days up to 200 and commence work in urban areas also.
The Chief Minister laid emphasis on creating awareness among villagers affected in areas reporting heavy metals, fluoride, iron content in water to use surface water.
He laid emphasis on increasing irrigation facilities through well, small ponds and strengthening canal lining. The farmers mainly in forest areas having land rights should be encouraged to take up ginger and turmeric farming.