Chief Minister Raman Singh won the hearts of the residents of the State by declaring a number of gifts for them in his Independence Day message meant for the development of the state and for the betterment of various sections of the society.
While extending his Independence Day greetings to the residents of the state, Dr Singh has made many declarations for the farmers, government employees, panchayat workers and kotwars also. He said that the state had acquired lot of achievements because of the love and cooperation of the people of the state during the last nine and half years, however, innumerable possibilities were still waiting for us all.
The Chief Minister hoped that the passion for continuous progress would lead Chhattisgarh and its people to new heights of success.
The Chief Minister, while addressing people, after flag hoisting and taking salute of the parade at the state level Independence Day function at the Police Parade Ground in the state capital, announced Durg as the fifth revenue division of the state. He said that by reorganizing Raipur revenue division, Durg revenue division would be constituted with Rajnandgaon, Balod, Bemethara, Durg and Kabirdham districts.
He also declared to start process for the reorganisation of tehsils in the state.
As an Independence Day gift, chief minister Raman Singh declared to increase the retirement age of lakhs of
Government servants from 60 to 62 years. The officers and employees of corporations, boards, government undertakings, panchayats and urban bodies, who were scheduled to retire from their services by August 31, would also get the benefits of it, he added.
While declaring an increase in the total monthly emoluments of the 9,500 panchayat workers of the state, the chief minister said that the emoluments of the panchayat workers having less than 15 years of service would be hiked from Rs4,400 to Rs8,406, whereas, those who have more than 15 years of service, the perks would be increased to
Rs10,044 from Rs6,400.
The chief minister also announced one and half times increase in the honorarium of kotwars of different categories. They would also be given free cycles and solar torches. Besides, the kin of the kotwars killed in naxalite attack or in mishaps would be given
Rs2 lakh as ex-gratia amount and Rs1 lakh would be given for permanent disability.
While making important announcement for the farmers, the chief minister gave alternative on the payment of electricity bills of irrigation pumps at flat rate, under the Krishak Jeevan Jyoti Scheme. Under this scheme, the farmer has to pay Rs 100 per month per horse power for five horse power pumps.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, the chief minister welcomed the society, which has the ideology that comes under the democratic frame and the Constitution of India, to the mainstream, but warned the forces that wanted to suppress the ballot by bullet power.
He called upon people to rise above sectarian thoughts and to fight against the anti-constitutional, anti-democratic, anti-development
anti-humanity forces.