Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday said that there is no shortage of funds for development of new and backward districts of the State. ‘The State Government is providing free education to daughters of poor families in the State. They can now avail free higher education in Medical and Engineering colleges, he said in his address at a massive public gathering at Deobhog Tehsil headquarters in Gariaband district on the last day of State-level lok Suraaj Abhiyan in the State.
The Chief Minister said that successful implementation of State Government’s policies and schemes have opened new doors of development in far-flung and backward areas, situated near State’s borders. It is the result of State Government’s initiative to carve out Gariaband district and a new chapter of development and construction has commenced in Deobhog area of Chhattisgarh, after nearly 68 years of country’s independence. With an view to bringing Government and administration closer to public, the State Government had constituted 11 new districts including Gariaband from year 2007 to 2012, he said.
Singh said that this tribal dominated district of Gariaband (Bindranavagarh) will soon make its identity as developed district of Chhattisgarh. On the occasion, Singh inaugurated a Government college building constructed at the cost of Rs2.37 crore in the area. Including this, the Chief Minister also inaugurated, carried out bhumi-pujan and laid foundation of 74 construction works worth nearly Rs58.42 crores.
In the programme, the Chief Minister announced that Industrial Training Institute (ITI) of Gariaband will be named after Martyr Bhrigunandan Chowdhary, Kirtichakra Awardee Jawan of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). late Bhrigunandan Chowdhary was a resident of village Sadauli in Gariaband district. He was martyred on September 8, 2012 while braving Naxalites in Gaya district of Bihar.
The Chief Minister commemorated his sacrifice and valour, while addressing the public meeting. He said that CRPF has named its camp premises, spread over 316 acres in Bastar district, after late Bhrigunandan Chowdhary. Singh also especially felicitated Urmila Sonwani, the lady who had refused to marry the groom, who turned up drunk on their wedding day, a few days back.
The Chief Minister praised Urmila for her courage, saying that she is an inspiration for other daughters. Singh said that educated daughters educate the entire family. Singh also threw light upon Noni Suraksha Yojana, scheme conducted by the State Government for ensuring better future of girls. He said that registration of two daughters born in poor families of the State will be done within one month of their birth, and Government will deposit Rs5000 per year for five consecutive years in the name of newly-born daughters.
When the daughter attains 18 years of age, she will receive Rs1 lakh and it is she, who will decide how to spend that amount and will be free to utilize this amount for her higher education, Singh said. The Chief Minister said that women have crucial role to play in the Cleanliness Campaign. He said that once women make up their mind to do so, they can ensure construction of toilets in each and every house of the State. likewise, awareness in women regarding healthcare issues is extremely important.
Singh further said that State Government is providing free medical treatment facility of up to Rs30,000 per year to each of the registered family in Health Insurance Scheme. During the last 12 years, the State Government has formulated many schemes for betterment of villages, poor, farmers and weaker sections of society, which are being successfully implemented, he said.
On the occasion, Singh also awarded certificates to youth, who have completed their training course in livelihood College, Gariaband. In this livelihood College, as many as 154 youngsters have successfully completed their training as security guards, after which they have been awarded certificates. The Chief Minister on the occasion also distributed tendupatta bonus worth Rs11.09 crore to the collectors of the forest produce.