Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said Chhattisgarh made a rapid progress in all sectors in a short period and credit must be awarded to Chief Minister Raman Singh who led from the front in development.
“Chhattisgarh has surely recorded all-round development, the State has produced a very effective public distribution system (PDS) in the country while in infrastructure sector too, the State has moved far ahead,’’ Jaitley remarked as the chief guest while addressing a State-level function in Raipur.
The function was organised at Indoor Stadium to felicitate several personalities who bagged award in various sectors by the State Government on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the State. Chhattisgarh came into existence on November 1, 2000, with a split of Madhya Pradesh.
Chhattisgarh Government held a subdued anniversary function this year in backdrop of drought which has shattered farmers community.
Raman Singh admitted in his speech that drought had played a big spoilsport for the State this year and he announced to back up farmers by all means.
“The drought has caused a widespread damage to crops and overall 22 lakh farmers have been affected, but in this difficult time phase you (farmers) don’t need to worry much, the Government is solidly behind all the farmers,’’ Singh stated in his lengthy speech.
In a bailout measure to farmers, he announced to provide paddy seeds free of cost up to one quintal to farmers during next year’s kharif crops sowing season.
Singh who is ruling the State since December 2003, presented a detailed report card of his Government at the function and reiterated his commitment to make Chhattisgarh a ‘developed State’.