Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held dialogue with farmers during public dialogue programme at Gram Panchayat Kelmaniya in Sohagpur development block of Shahdol district on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister sought information from villagers about drought affected crops and distribution of compensation. The villagers complained that survey has not been done properly. On this, the Chief Minister directed for fresh survey of drought affected crops in Jaisingh Nagar, Sohagpur and Budhar tahasils. The Chief Minister directed to display lists of surveys at Gram Panchayatsa and accept & dispose of objections and distribute relief. At Public-Dialogue Programme, information was given by a tribal widow that widows are not being provided pension since their names do not figure in BPl list. The CM directed that now pension will be given to all widows. He also sought information from tribals about supply of food grains at the rate of Re one per kg.
Villagers and students informed the CM that services like mid-day meals in schools and other welfare schemes of the state government are being delivered at anganwadi centres. Scholarships, free of cost books, uniforms and cycles are being provided in school. The Chief Minister told farmers not to worry in this hour of crisis. The State gGovernment will extend better facilities to them.
CM held a Chaupal at remote village Bhamraha in Sohagpur Janpad Panchayat to hear problems of villagers. They informed about absence of high school in the village. He announced to open a high school in the village from next academic session. On villagers' demand, the Chief Minister directed to construct a dam over nearby Johila river to increase irrigation facilities in the area.
At village Pathra also, CM heard people's problems. He said that farmers will be given maximum amount under crop insurance scheme and the state government will bear one-year interest on loans taken by affected farmers. He said that farmers whose crops have suffered damage will be provided subsidised ration till next crop. CM was informed that relief worth Rs 30 lakh has been sanctioned to village Pathra.