From Gandhi Sevagram to implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay scheme to building a new Amar Jawan Jyoti, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel is not only out to revive the Gandhian legacy and project the “safest” Congress Government as a model as envisaged by party leader Rahul Gandhi but also take on the Modi dispensation over sensitive issues.
Amidst his preoccupations with poll campaign in five States and the ongoing Parliament session, Rahul on Thursday visited Raipur where he along with Baghel laid the foundation stone for the Mahatma Gandhi Sevagram which is to be built to “Keep Alive, Nurture, Adapt and Implement Core Tenets of Gandhism for the 21st Century”.
A conference of Gandhian ideas was organised by the Chhattisgarh government on this occasion, during which the first cheque for the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Nyay Yojana (also known as the ‘RG Nyay for Landless’ Scheme) was given to a beneficiary of the scheme.
Official sources said around 3,55,000 beneficiaries will receive their first installment of benefits under the scheme Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Yojana.
After the Congress and Rahul attacked the Modi government for merging the existing Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate with the National War Memorial, the Congress-led Chhattisgarh government announced setting up a Amar Jawan Jyoti memorial in State capital Raipur.
Rahul lauded the Chhattisgarh government for implementing the NYAY scheme, terming it a historic day and promised full support to all the beneficiaries, saying the government was just returning them their money. He also expressed his delight for establishment of Gandhi Sevagram and construction of Amar Jawan Jyoti.
The NYAY scheme aims at providing relief to over 12 lakh landless labourers, with the provision of Rs 200 crore from the state’s budget. As announced in the party’s manifesto, it aims to achieve ‘Aarthik Nyay’ (Economic Justice) by financially supporting the families of more than 12 lakh landless labourers, living with financial hardship, who do not own even a small piece of land, yet are dependent on agricultural labour for their income, sources said.
“While the scheme is focused on covering MGNREGA and contract workers, assistance will also be provided to beneficiaries such as barbers, blacksmiths, dhobis (washermen and washerwomen) and priests across Chhattisgarh, ensuring their welfare and social security. The aim is to support them with minimum wages so that they can access basic amenities and live a respectable life, gaining freedom from poverty,” the Chhattisgarh government said in a Press release.
"We are glad to be able to build this Sevagram in Raipur as Gandhiji’s key principles are at the heart of Chhattisgarh’s vision for development. In keeping with Gandhiji’s tenets, our policies and programmes aim to make every citizen of Chhattisgarh a beneficiary and stakeholder of development in the state, with a focus on last mile delivery for the state’s most underprivileged populations. That's why the first cheque for the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumihin Krishi Majdur Nyay Yojana was given today. We wish to follow Gandhiji not just in principle, but also in practice," Baghel said on the occasion.