Under the ongoing State-wide 'lok Suraaj Abhiyan', Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday afternoon paid a surprise visit to forested Bankal village under Village Panchayat Akhrar (lormi) block of Mungeli district. During his visit, the Chief Minister held a 'Chaupal' under the shade of a Tendu tree and discussed about Government schemes as well as needs of the villagers.
The villagers were overjoyed to see Chief Minister's helicopter landing in Bankal village.As soon as the helicopter landed, Singh was accorded a warm welcome by people. While holding the 'Chaupal', Singh said that this is the first time a Chief Minister has visited Bankal village during the last 68 years of the country’s independence. This village is situated in Bokra Kachhar, where a number of people displaced from Achanakmar Tiger Reserve area have been rehabilitated under the Rehabilitation Policy of Chhattisgarh Government.
Other than Bankal, many displaced families have been rehabilitated in village Karidongri (Bokra Kachhar) and Sambhardhasaan village also. After having discussions with people at the Chaupal, Singh approved construction of additional room in Primary School of Bankal, installation of solar energy pumps in all three villages for irrigation and drinking water facility, construction of pond by Water Resource Department for irrigation facility, and levelling of land allocated to forest right certificate holder farmers (under MNREGA) so as to make it suitable for cultivation.
Singh said that the forest patta allotted to displaced families of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Area, rehabilitated in this area, to be converted into Revenue Patta. They will also be given bank loan facility for irrigation, fertilizer and seeds. He also assured that nearly 20 km road from village Khudiya to Aavraapani will be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
Singh directed the District Collector to hold public grievance redressal camp in this village, within one week. On request of local MlA Tokhan Sahu and villagers, Singh made announcement of shifting present headquarters of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Area from Bilaspur to Tehsil Headquarters lormi. Singh said that parapet walls and steps will be constructed for security of houses of families, displaced from the forest area.
During his visit, the Chief Minister asked villagers at the Chaupal, about Public Distribution System (PDS), child vaccination, and Mid-day meal programme in schools of their village. They told Singh that they have been receiving ration from fair price shop
regularly. Children are also being timely vaccinated and Mid-day meal programme is also being conducted efficiently in schools. Singh informed the villagers about various schemes of the State government and appealed them to take benefit from the same. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand and Joint Secretary Rajat Kumar at the village.