Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday said that if one personally stops using cash and begins to use debit/credit cards and the internet for making transactions, then the problem of carrying cash all the time will end and a cashless society will be formed which will also end misuse of currency.
The Chief Minister remarked, “Often bulk cash transactions are not disclosed and currency notes are misused.” He said, “I mentioned about smart card for the reason that under 'Prime Minister Health Insurance Scheme' and ‘Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme’ etc, beneficiaries are issued smart cards instead of cash.”
These cards can be used in place of cash at any authorised hospital for availing medical services. This is the reason why this system is called 'plastic money'. likewise, there is a system called 'e-banking' or electronic transfer, under which you can do your financial transaction without cash, using money deposited in your bank account with the help of ATM card and internet banking, not only in your village or city but to other villages and cities as well, Singh said.
In his monthly Radio programme titled ‘Raman Ke Goth’ aired from All India Radio on Sunday, he said that it is the love, trust, support and guidance of the people that has enabled him to take major decisions.
He said, “Now when I look back upon past 13 years, I feel the schemes that have been implemented in Chhattisgarh are exemplary for entire nation. People of Chhattisgarh have given me the strength to take significant decisions and implement them.”
Mentioning PM Narendra Modi’s decision of creating a cashless society, Singh said that he is a far-sighted Prime Minister with strong will power.
Singh said, “The root cause of major evils in society such as corruption, terrorism and inflation is black money. This is the reason why Prime Minister has launched decisive battle against black money.”
He threw light upon the various facilities of cashless transactions being provided by Chhattisgarh Government to people of the State as an alternative to demonetisation.
Singh especially talked about those schemes of State Government that have brought significant positive change in lives of poor, women, school students and common people. He gave information about major schemes and achievements of his Government in last 13 years.
Singh also talked about the interest-free agriculture loan facility for farmers and the distribution of rice, salt and gram distribution to 58.80 lakh families under ‘Mukhyamantri Khadyann Sahayta Yojana’.
He said that earlier farmers of the State used to get agriculture loan at 14% interest rates, but today they avail agriculture loan facility at zero interest rate. Interest free agriculture loan scheme has been a major relief for farmers.
As a result, distribution of agriculture loans have increased from Rs 150 crores to nearly Rs 3,000 crore, Singh said.
The Chief Minister said, “Paddy procurement from farmers at support price is our third biggest scheme. In last 13 years, 5.60 crore metric tonnes of paddy has been procured andRs 53,000 crore has been paid to the farmers against procurement.”
Singh said, “When I talk about schemes close to my heart, I mention Mukhyamantri Bal Hriday Suraksha Yojana at first. This is my most favourite scheme, which has also been welcomed by people of State with open arms.”
He said that thousands of children have availed this scheme for heart operations and are now living healthy lives. They have smile on their faces. This smile will become the smiling future of Chhattisgarh.
Singh said toll-free number 102 based Mahatari Express and Dial-108 Sanjeevani Express Ambulance has benefited lakhs of families. lives of many accident victims have been saved by these ambulance services.
The Chief Minister said that wage rates of Tendupatta collecting forest-dweller families have been increased. In year 2003, tendupatta labourers used to get wage at the rate of Rs 350 per standard bag, which we have increased to Rs 1,500. In last 13 years, we have distributed bonus of Rs 2600 crore on tendupatta collection.
He informed that Tamarind, Chiraunji, Mahua, lac and Sal seeds are also been procured at support price and Rs 71 crore has been paid against procurement.
Singh said that commencement of Saraswati Cycle Yojana in the State has resulted in significant increase in number of girls taking admission in high school from 65 per cent to 93 per cent. This scheme was commenced to provide free bicycles to girls of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and BPl families.
Interest loan Subsidy Schemes has also been initiated to provide higher education loans of upto Rs 4 lakh to children of poor families at nominal interest rate of 1 per cent. Under this scheme, students of naxal affected area are provided education loans at zero per cent interest rate, he said.
The Chief Minister said that free education facility is being provided for daughters interested in pursuing graduation. Tution fee for engineering and polytechnic courses has also been waived off for girl students. Nearly 67,000 daughters have tied nuptial knot under ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana’.
Singh also mentioned about 'Mukhyamantri Teerthyatra Yojana', saying that nearly two lakh senior citizens have been taken on pilgrimage for free of cost under this scheme.
He informed about the prominent results of skill development scheme and achievements of Chhattisgarh in the field of higher education as well.
Singh said that livelihood Colleges have been opened in all 27 districts of the State for provided skill development facility to youth. Chhattisgarh had no national-level institute at the time of State formation. But today we have IIT, NIT, IIM, IIIT and National law University. Number of medical colleges has reached 10. Number of engineering colleges in the State has increased to 49. It is major step towards providing new opportunities to youth of Chhattisgarh.
Singh underlined the major schemes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He told listeners that under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 25 lakh women of Chhattisgarh have been provided free domestic lPG connection, gas cylinder and oven at Rs 200 only, in short span of two years. Under Prime Minister Housing scheme, each of the poor family will be provided housing facility by year 2022.