The Chhattisgarh government is committed to preserve and promote Bastar's traditions and culture and will construct 100 'Ghotuls' in the region, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel declared on Saturday.
Addressing a public meeting, he said a demand was put up for constructing 50 ‘Ghotul’ but he had doubled the number.
“People from foreign countries come to Bastar to see and understand the ‘Ghotul’ tradition. Ghotul has been at the centre of social and cultural development of village, and the youth discussed about the development of their village and region in these centres,” the Chief Minister told a gathering at Narayanpur.
He said during his visit some people suggested that the government should get Ghotuls built and demanded 50 Ghotuls.
Agreeing to their demand, Baghel announced of constructing 100 Ghotuls.
The Chief Minister further said though the structure of Ghotul may be pukka, the traditional design and decorations will be followed so that the cultural identity is kept intact.
In addition, in 104 village Panchayat ‘Devigudi’ will be built, he announced.
Baghel was speaking after a public dedication and foundation laying ceremony on his two-day visit to Narayanpur district.
He said each ‘Devgudi’ will have Rs 6 lakh along with other facilities, Including construction, a total of Rs 9 lakh would be spent.
He announced the widening of the main road Narayanpur-Antagarh State Highway linking Narayanpur and Kanker districts, construction of a ‘Mangal Bhawan’ at Narayanpur town and beautification-deepening of ‘Bandhuwa’ pond for which Rs 6 crore will be provided.
The Chief Minister carried out Bhooumi Pujan of 26 works worth Rs 77.80 crores and public dedication of 14 works costing Rs 8.11 crores.
Farmers growing ‘kodo’ and ‘Kutki’ will also be covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, he added.
The government is committed to provide forest rights land title to residents of Abujmarh area after conducting a satellite survey, Baghel said.