After unfurling the tricolor on Republic Day, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said it will be the responsibility of his government to ensure people's constitutional rights if any law comes in its way.
Addressing the people at Lal Bagh ground in Bastar's district headquarters, he said: "Our constitution is the biggest protector of farmers, villagers and general public, but if any new law comes in the way of this system then it is the responsibility of the state government to deal with a challenge like that.
"And we have fulfilled this responsibility by introducing the Chhattisgarh Agricultural Produce Market (Amendment) Bill," he said, without referring directly to the three farm laws of the Centre which have triggered protests.
"I say again that we will always be ready to overcome the obstacles that come in the way of protecting constitutional rights of the citizens."
Baghel went on to list his government's achievements in the past two years, particularly for the economically distressed sections.
He said the government took up the challenge of bringing down the large number of BPL families in the state to the national average. The Puna Madakal Dantewada Programme resulted in 26 percent decrease in malnutrition rate in 10 months.
Acquired land has been returned to the tribal people of Lohandiguda and after 13 years, he said, adding the Haat-Bazar Clinic schemes as well as malnutrition and malaria eradication began in Bastar before becoming a state-wide phenomenon.
The Chief Minister said Jeeram village of Bastar has finally got electricity supply after 73 years of independence. Similarly, homes, hospitals, schools and ashrams have been illuminated with solar energy. With telecom towers and air services, Bastar has entered a new era altogether.
The government, he said, increased the remuneration from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per standard bag besides procuring 52 minor forest produce at support price.
He said that traditional forest dwellers and tribal people were disappointed due to the cancellation of forest rights claims. "We reviewed the revoked claims and gave them big hope by duly giving them possession of the vast land."
"Now we have decided to procure paddy from the forest rights holders at support price," he added. "I would like tenant farmers to take full advantage of this initiative."
Baghel said that to give due honour and rights to the local leadership in tribal region, local public representatives have been appointed as Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Bastar, Sarguja and Central Zone Development Authorities with the power to take decisions for regional development.
The number of registered farmers has gone up from 15 lakh to 21,52,485 farmers this year while the registered area has risen from 24 lakh to about 28 lakh hectares. Like in the last two years, a new record for highest paddy procurement was created this year as well.
The Chief Minister said about Rs 72 crores have been paid to cow dung vendors in last five months under Godhan Nyaya Yojana. "I am happy to say that a large number of women and youngsters are associated with our schemes."
He then detailed the various schemes initiated by his government.
The Chief Minister said that under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Chhattisgarh has created a record of providing maximum employment in the country.
Baghel said that Chhattisgarh has adopted the strategy of working longer hours in existing health centers, raising more facilities and providing necessary facilities for more patients.
"Our preparation made it possible for us to provide relief and treatment to people during the Covid crisis."
Under the Dr. Khubchand Baghel Health Scheme and Chief Minister Special Health Scheme, patients are provided free of cost treatment facility of up to Rs 20 lakhs for various common and rare diseases.
He said the government has provided nutritional security to 97 percent population of the state by implementing universal PDS scheme. Under the Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana, 99 thousand children have been cured of malnutrition and 20 thousand women have been cured of anemia.
The Chief Minister requested people to cooperate in making the vaccination campaign a success to defeat Covid-19.
He said that an initiative has been taken to provide justice to the victims of chit fund companies and help them recover their hard-earned money.
Besides taking steps for the welfare of security personnel, "our strategy of confidence, security and development has considerably reduced the number of Naxalite incidents and other criminal activities," he said.