Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh has clarified straightway that the public distribution system (PDS) in Chhattisgarh, under which 42 lakh families are provided supply of low-cost food grains via number of ration shops, will not be replaced with central Government's ‘cash subsidy scheme’.
The existing scheme of PDS will continue to serve the people of State and central Government's recommendation to change the same will not be accepted or implemented. Chief Minister also affirmed that the period between years 2013 to 2018 will prove to be a golden era for Chhattisgarh, in terms of development.
Dr Singh appealed people to extend their wholehearted cooperation and support to the government so as to take Chhattisgarh to the heights of success, during afore mentioned period. Chief Minister was addressing a massive gathering at Balod District Headquarters during a programme organised on the last day of first phase of Vikas Yatra, when he made aforementioned statement.
On the occasion, Chief Minister dedicated and performed 'bhumi-pujan' of 174 construction works worth about Rs46 crores, including foundation laying and 'bhumi-pujan' of 92 new works worth Rs37.13 crores and public dedication of 82 works worth Rs8.77 crores.
Within only 16 months of formation, number of development works has been done in Balod district while several others are in progress, said CM on the occasion.
In his address to the public gathering, Dr Raman Singh said that State Government has made the first ever Food Security Act to benefit lakhs of families in State.
In form of public distribution system, State Government has facilitated a better system of supplying food-grains on fair prices to lakhs of families. It is due to the success of this system that PDS of State has been lauded as the model for entire nation.
Moreover, even the people of state are in favour of this PDS system. But Central Government is contemplating to give away only cash subsidy of Rs600 to the ration-card holders, which can certainly not be the substitute to the regular supply of food-grains to public on fair prices.
This is the reason why, Chhattisgarh Government has decided to continue with the implementation of existing format of public distribution system through fair price shops.
Chief Minister further said that during massive public gatherings held in past few days of Vikas Yatra, thousands of people have shown their support to the PDS system of Chhattisgarh. On last day of the first phase of Vikas Yatra, CM also inaugurated the bonus distribution of Rs150 crores to more than 71 thousand farmers of Balod district, against the paddy procured in year 2012 via cooperative societies.
Moreover, Chief Minister also inaugurated the distribution of ration cards to 94,792 poor families under Chhattisgarh Food Security Act. Meanwhile, Chief Minister highlighted the fact that Chhattisgarh is the first State to work for labour welfare.
Under various labour welfare schemes initiated through labour Department, State Government has benefited over nine lakh labour families involved in construction and other smaller trades via free of cost distribution of bicycles, sewing machines and tools etc, other than providing scholarships to their children and insurance benefits to labour families.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh distributed various equipments, flip-flops, tool-kits, cheques, smart cards, financial aid and other goods under various labour welfare schemes of the state government. Meanwhile, about 4818 farmers were distributed bonus of Rs8.42 crores, against the paddy procurement done in year 2012 through cooperative societies.
The public gathering was also addressed by Water Resource Minister and Balod In-charge Ramvichaar Netam, lok Sabha Member Sohan Potai and MlA Kumari Bai Sahu also addressed the programme.
Meanwhile, Housing and Environment Minister Rajesh Munat, Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Gaurishankar Agrawal, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Yashwant Jain, Gunderdehi MlA Virendra Sahu, Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, In-charge Secretary of district Dr Bl Agrawal, Collector Amrit Khalkho and other administrative officials along with large number of people were also present.