Chief Minister Raman Singh said on Sunday that his Government was dedicated to farmers’ welfare and he would take all possible measures to safeguard their financial interests.
Singh, who recently announced to provide Rs 2,100 crore paddy bonus to more than 13 lakh farmers before this Diwali, revealed in his monthly radio talk, ‘Raman Ke Goth’ that Chhattisgarh Government has procured nearly 6 crore 91 lakh 59 thousand metric tons of paddy from farmers in last 13 years, and paid nearly Rs 75,000 crore through cooperative societies.
He stated, ‘when we were given the responsibility of running the Government, paddy procurement from farmers of Chhattisgarh was only 5 lakh metric tons and farmers had to face various problems regarding payment. But my Government has created a computer-based transparent system to make payment to each and every farmers through cooperative societies,’’.
In the popular monthly radio-talk programme, Singh who is chief minister for 5,000 plus days, informed listeners about the farmers-welfare policies and informed about the programmes to be organised in State on the occasion of birth anniversary of Pt Deendayal Upadhyay.
Chief Minister also informed that on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ campaign will be conducted in Chhattisgarh from September 12 to October 2.
“Prime Minister has given the shape of public movement for a cleanliness campaign and has made Gandhi Jayanti the symbol of this movement,’’ the Chief Minister stated.
Singh advised people that September 17 is birthday of Prime Minister Modi and people should celebrate his birthday as ‘Seva Diwas’. He also appealed for massive public participation in new programme of Modi ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’.
Mentioning about the various steps taken by State Government in farmers’ interest, Singh said that in year 2013-13, 78 lakh 35 thousand metric tons of paddy were procured in these societies and farmers were paid Rs 10,362 crore as support price and Rs 2,374 crore as bonus.
In year 2015 the State was affected by drought, and State Government had taken various relief measures for farmers for which nearly Rs 1,800 crore were sanctioned under various funds.
Meanwhile, many important decisions were taken for farmer welfare such as Crop diversification, minimising agriculture input cost, scientific and technical measures to promote cultivation of profitable crops. Increase in productivity made Chhattisgarh to bag Krishi Karman Award, thrice for rice production and once for pulses production. Chhattisgarh was also awarded Agriculture leadership Award 2017 for extraordinary achievement in the field of horticulture.
Bonus Tihar in all 27 districts
Singh said in ‘Raman Ke Goth’ that when weak monsoon caused drought in some districts of State, it became matter of serious concern for Chhattisgarh as well as the centre. When I visited New Delhi to meet my high command, our national president deliberated upon the conditions in State on a considerate note and accepted my suggestion of providing paddy bonus to farmers of Chhattisgarh.
“Prime Minister’s inclination and affection towards farmers is no secret. He gave immediate approval for bonus distribution and also said that farmers should be provided every possible support,’’ Singh informed listeners.
He further said Government has decided to distribute bonus to farmers before diwali this year.
Chief Minister said that in year 2016, 69 lakh 59 thousand metric tons of paddy was procured from more than 13 lakh farmers, on which Rs 2,100 crore were distributed as bonus at the rate of Rs 300 per quintal. Chief Minister informed that he has decided to celebrate ‘Bonus Tihar’ in every district to distribute bonus to farmers and boost their morale.
Pt Deendayal Upadhyay message for human service
Singh commemorated Pt Deendayal Upadhyay saying- “Upadhyay Ji had given the message of humanity and human service by serving the poor and needy,’’.
Talking about Pt Deendayal Upadhyay’s life, Singh said, Pt Upadhyay Ji was of the opinion that when a tree grows from a seed, it has different parts with different qualities developed roots, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits, but it is the seed that symbolises their unity. In this way he explained the message of unity among human beings without any space for struggle. He had emphasised the need of focusing on the weakest section of society so as to uplift them and bridge the gap between rich and poor. Poor section of society should also get all the facilities that makes life easier and help them progress. This is the reason why we consider Deendayal Upahdyay ji as Yug Purush’’.
Special event to be held from Sep 15-25
Singh said State Government has announced a special 11-day event to be organised from September 15-25 in order to make people aware of the persona and contribution of Pt Deendayal Upadhyay, and to make way for development of society with harmony.
He added that from September 15 to 25, various folk music, dance, skit, essay, drawing, speech and debate competitions will be organised in all schools and colleges of state. In universities, seminar on ‘Ekatm Manavvad’ will be organised. In all the 27 districts, discourses based on Pt Deendayal Upadhyay’s life will be organised at various places. In villages, sports competitions, health check-up camps and agriculture fairs will be organised.
“On the occasion his birth anniversary on September 25, special Gram Sabhas will be organized in State, where his biography will be read out, and information about pro-poor and poverty alleviation schemes of various departments will be given,’’.