Spreading the light of happiness and prosperity at the houses of the poor is the objective of the Vikas Yatra, says Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh.
Addressing a public meeting on the fourth day of the Statewide Vikas Yatra at Dhamtari on Thursday late evening , the CM said that the work of the State Government was not only to construct roads, bridges and culverts, but to reach the hutments of the poor through its schemes and to spread the light of prosperity there was also included in its priority.
To reach this objective, the State Government was working courageously and boldly, he added. Thousands of people welcomed the Chief Minister at the public meeting and congratulated him.
The Chief Minister on the occasion performed bhumi pujan and dedicated development works worth Rs97 crore under various schemes of the State Government. Along with paddy bonus to a large number of farmers, Singh gave away agriculture equipment including sprinklers and diesel pumps.
Dr Singh gave away bonus for the year 2012 to the tendupatta collectors and free cycle under the Saraswati cycle scheme to the school-going girls and congratulated them also. He gave permanent caste certificates to many school children, forest rights letter to forest dweller families and new ration cards to poor families, on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that it was not less than a challenge to get into the confidence of people and added, “I am happy that the Chhattisgarh Government has won hundred per cent trust of the people of the State”. The sea of humanity that gathered in the Vikas Yatra functions was the proof of it, he added. At the public meeting, the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is the first State that has given legal rights to the poor to have foodgrain at lower price. With the cooperation and support of the residents Chhattisgarh received the credit of the first State in the country that has passed the Food Security Act, he added.
On the implementation of the Act, he said, the number of families that have been receiving 35 kg foodgrain at Rs1 and Rs2 per kg per month and two kg free iodine salt, would be increased from 32 lakh to 42 lakh in the State.
He said that the State Government had implemented the Chief Minister Health Insurance Scheme for the 56 lakh families of the State despite of their income barriers and they would get free medical treatment facility up to Rs30,000 per year on the basis of smart card.
School Education and PWD, and in-charge minister of Dhamtari Brijmohan Agrawal, Woman and Child Development minister lata Usendi, Industries minister Rajesh Munat, Member of Parliament Chandulal Sahu, Balod MlA Kumari Sahu, chairman of State Planning Commission Ajay Chandrakar, State handicapped commission president Indar Copra, Chhattisgarh mineral development Corporation chairman Gaurishankar Agrawal and other peoples’ representatives and prominent citizens were present at the public meeting.