Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh’s first radio programme titled Raman Ke Goth aired on Sunday has gone viral on social media.
The Chief Minister’s own Facebook account saw many people sending their feedback with a majority of them being youngsters and some of the visitors from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.
Most of the visitors called it a good initiative while one of them said that when welfare projects are planned, one would need to play a key role to see its implementation — if not 100 per cent but atleast 80 per cent.
Another visitor commented that the exercise of ‘interaction needs to be more decisive in future to make it more effective’.
Another wrote that the money sanctioned for projects is not utilised properly and the Chief Minister must ponder upon the issue.
Another demanded the CM to do something about boosting employment and eliminating corruption.
Meanwhile , Raman Singh in his radio talk on Sunday had expressed his distress over the scanty rainfall in Chhattisgarh and drought-like situation already prevailing in some of the districts.
The programme is organised by the State Public Relations Department scheduled to be held on second Sunday of every month, on which the Chief Minister remarked that he hails from a farmer's family and understands the travails of the hard-working farmers.
Singh reiterated that as Head of the State he is always available to the public to lessen their burden and wipe out their tears.
The direct talk was relayed on all AIR stations of Chhattisgarh from 10:45 am to 11:00 am.
Singh in his Raman ke Goth lauded the cultural aspects of festivals Akti, Savnahi, Hareli, Pola, and Teeja.
He called upon the people's participation in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission.
Singh greeted the womenfolk of Chhattisgarh on the ensuing Teeja festival.
He said that women return to their parental homes on the auspicious occasion of the popular festival irrespective of age.
On being queried how he got the idea of having a direct talk-show on Akashvaani, Singh said that Chhattisgarh has several remote regions. Bastar itself is bigger in area than Kerala.
To another question he replied about 80 per cent of the population depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Drought-like situation is prevailing in many parts of Chhattisgarh.
He called upon the farmers to make full use of the irrigation facilities and State Government schemes. The authorities will create job opportunities so that the villagers do not migrate to greener pastures.
Singh said that rules have been relaxed to help those in dire straits. Even if 33 per cent crops are damaged compensation will be paid. Earlier it was 50 per cent. The Reserve Bank of Bank (RBI) has relaxed the guidelines to allot compensation to the farmers. Insurance cover is provided to the farmers who have availed themselves of loan facilities.
The Chief Minister said that a State is recognised by its own culture. Chhattisgarh is one of the few states which is totally dependent on agriculture. The farmers are busy all over the year with their farm activities. Chhattisgarh has a hoary cultural and traditional past, he said.
Singh said the onset of agricultural season is celebrated as Akti, sowing of seeds is Savnaahi, growing of crops Bhojli and harvesting of crops Hareli. These are the festivals connected with farming operations. The people worship trees, animals — living beings and Mother Nature. Chhattisgarh has separate distinct identity of its own in the entire country.
The Chief Minister greeted the women on the ensuing festival Teeja and wished them prosperity and a bright future in the native Chhattisgarhi language.
He also mentioned Muslim festival Eid-ul-Adha and wished them Eid Mubarak.
Singh said that Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Quality Education Mission will help in improving the educational standards in Chhattisgarh. In order to make the Mission successful, people's participation is required so that the upcoming generations can compete with the students of the rest of the country.
The schools will be graded as per the results. The rural folks will give their opinion on the quality of studies, presence of teachers in the schools and other aspects. Special Gram Sabhas will be held on 16-17 of every month, the Chief Minister stated.
He appealed the rural gentry to participate in the Gram Sabhas and express their views on education.
Chief Minister also mentioned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's several welfare programmes- Prime Miniter’s Jan — Dhan Yojana and Suraksha Beema Yojana.
About 80 lakh bank accounts have been opened under the Prime Minister Jan-Dhan Yojana. The target was 57 lakh bank accounts. About 32 lakh families have been insured under the Prime Minister Suraksha Beema Yojana. The target was 20 lakh families.
Singh thanked the citizens of Chhattisgarh in making the schemes a grand success.
The Chief Minister said the aim of Swachh Bharat Mission is to make India Clean by October 2, 2019. The State is progressing at a rapid pace in this direction.
He said Chhattisgarh’s villages will become clean, streets will become clean, our homes will become clean, Chhattisgarh will become clean and healthy.
“The panchayats have to play a vital role in Clean Bharat Mission.We will join hands together to make progress in the right direction,” he said. “Forty-four per cent citizens are Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and 44 per cent area is covered by forests. The population is about two-and-half-a-crore and the Radio is the best medium to reach the masses,” he added.
The five All India Radio (AIR) stations cover 99 per cent of the population in entire State. He also expressed his keen interest to be in regular touch with the masses on second Sunday of every month.