Chief Minister Raman Singh on Thursday said that there is a lot of awareness among the public particularly among women, in far-flung regions regarding the National Cleanliness Campaign. The women are demanding toilets in their houses. The people are keen on making their villages pollution-free, he said.
Singh returned to the Raipur on Thursday after a whirlwind tour of Koriya, Balrampur-Ramanujganj and Surajpur districts as a part of the ongoing ‘lok Suraaj’ campaign in the State. He was speaking at the Raipur Police lines Helipad here.
Singh said that the water supply connections under ‘Nal-Jal’ scheme which are disconnected due to pending electricity bills will be restored so that rural citizens do not face any drinking water crisis during summer months.
He said that livelihood colleges have been started in all the 27 districts of the State and youth will be given Skills Development training as per the requirements of the region. A four-year plan will be chalked out in due course of time.
The Chief Minister said that he had given orders to this effect to the top officers of three districts at a meeting held at District Headquarters Surajpur last night. Singh said that the lok Suraaj Campaign was launched on April 14 and during the past nine days and he has toured from Bastar to Surguja and made surprise visits to many villages.
The Chief Minister said he had observed a lot of enthusiasm among the masses regarding the State Government’s programmes and policies. There is drinking water problem in some rural areas due to the onset of severe summer months.
‘Nal-Jal’ scheme is inoperative in some villages due to non-payment of power bills for some reason. A campaign will be launched to re-start all closed ‘Nal-Jal’ projects so that people do not face any difficulty in getting drinking water.
Singh said progress in institutional deliveries and inoculation is slower than expected in Surguja Revenue Division. About 60 per cent inoculation has taken place and the goal is to attain 90 per cent inoculation. He had ordered the concerned officers to convince the ignorant mothers to deliver their babies in hospitals.
Singh gathered details regarding the livelihood Colleges and Skills Development programmes during the ‘Choupals’ and review meetings. There are divergent needs of each district and the colleges should meet their demands.
The Chief Minister said a Primary Health Centre, 30-seater girls’ hostel, cement road, Temple tank beautification and a road worth Rs10 crore from Janakpur to Chaanti have been sanctioned for Bahrasi village in Korea district. He said that Kudargarh in Surajpur district is a religious and historic site. Singh appreciated the step taken by Urmila Sonwani of Gariaband not to marry a drunk groom .
The incident is an eye-opener for the entire society and a small step against social evils. Urmila is a role model for all. The State Government will honour the bold woman. People should come forward to encourage the courageous woman, Singh said.