The State Government's Public Distribution System (PDS) has now become a model for entire nation. Only five years back , Chhattisgarh also became zero-power cut State, Chief Minister Raman Singh stated while addressing a public gathering at Kharsiya tehsil headquarters of Raigarh district on Sunday night.
Her said that elaborate arrangements for procurement of paddy at support price from farmers through cooperative societies were made by the State Government. During the last kharif season, 71 lakh metric tonnes of paddy were procured from farmers and nearly Rs 9000 crore were paid to them as support price in addition bonus of Rs 1926 crore at the rate of Rs 270 per quintal, Singh said.
He said that farmers are also being provided short-term agricultural loans at the nominal interest rate of one per cent. In education sector also, Chhattisgarh has undergone major development. The Vikas Yatra procession is reaching various parts of State to give account of the works done for public by the State Government in villages, cities, settlements and hamlets of State, the Chief Minister stated.
Singh said that during the five years, Chhattisgarh Government has initiated several schemes for progress and prosperity of people of State and also implemented them effectively with support and cooperation of public.
"To give account of all the works done in public interest by State Government in last five years, I and my ministers are turning up to the court of common public through Vikas Yatra. It is the confidence and trust of public in State Government that has boosted our morale to appear before public and tell them that we have kept the promises we made", he said.
Singh said that Chhattisgarh Government is the first among governments in the country that reaches even the remotest of the villages through Gram Suraaj Abhiyaan every year and reviews the effectiveness of various schemes and works, other than taking feedback of public to chalk out better public welfare schemes in future.
At Kharsiya, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid foundation of construction works worth nearly Rs 46 crore. This includes inauguration of 23 completed works worth Rs 11 crore and foundation laying of 29 newly approved works worth Rs 35 crore.