Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday said that the State Government has made arrangements to provide short-term, interest-free agriculture loan of upto `5 lakh to the farmers. Moreover, the loan limit of ` 20,000 per hectare for un-irrigated land and that of `25,000 per hectare for irrigated land has been dissolved, he said.
Singh gave the aforementioned information to farmers in his monthly Radio programme ‘Raman Ke Goth’ aired from Raipur Centre of All India Radio here this morning.
He expressed hope that both these decisions of the State Government will improve financial condition of farmers.
The Chief Minister addressed youth of the State while saying : “To live up to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have given special emphasis on skill development in Chhattisgarh.
The State Government has given legal right to youngsters to avail skill development training in trade of their choice.”
Under this scheme, around three lakh youngsters of Chhattisgarh have been trained in various kinds of employment-oriented activities, he said. Singh said that youth interested in availing this scheme should contact Collector of the respective district.
The Chief Minister also assured people that the State Government is alert and set to tackle fake banking and chit-fund companies. The State Government has also made laws with provisions of taking strict action against fake finance companies and those people who illegally receive deposit from the people, he said.
Singh said : “Under this law, no company can do its financial business without informing the District Collector. I appeal people to not to invest their money in any company without verifying its authenticity.
Cross-check their claims of doubling and tripling the money and verify their identity from Collector's office.”
With the onset of the monsoon season, he also requested farmers to take advice from agriculture experts and Agriculture Department and use fertilizers and seeds in correct proportion. The Chief Minister informed that farmers, who have taken loan from banks and societies and the ones who have not taken loan, and also ‘Bataidar-farmers’ can also avail Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme.
This scheme is for irrigated or un-irrigated Paddy, Corn, Soyabean, Peanut, Arhar, Moong and Urad.
Under this scheme for Kharif crops, farmers will have to pay only two percent of the premium. Remaining amount will be borne by State and Central Government.
Singh lauded innovative initiatives being taken in the field of education on local-level in various districts. He said : “ During lok Suraaj Abhiyan, I had many wonderful experiences and I was really happy to see the initiatives being taken by teachers in rural areas in the field of education.”
Singh also talked about the preparation of State Government's Youth Policy and better performance of children of Prayas Residential Schools, functioning under 'Mukhyamantri Bal Bhavishya Yojana'.
He said “ We started Prayas long back for betterment of youngsters. We are the first State of the country, where new Youth Policy is being formulated with participation of youngsters of the State.”
I wish that rigorous discussions should be held in Gram Sabha of each village and people should give their opinions and suggestions on the entire process, he said.
The Chief Minister said : “We have opened Prayas Residential School for providing better education to children of Naxal-violence affected areas. Recently, JEE result has been declared. A total of 27 students of Prayas school have successfully cracked this exam and secured seats in reputed engineering institutes of the country. I am extremely happy to see these children doing so well. I feel so emotional as if I have cleared the exam.”