'BJP Confusing People, Congress Understands Plight Of Poor': Congress Chief Kharge In Poll-Bound Chhattisgarh

Mallikarjun Kharge lauded the allocation of schemes worth Rs 2,300 crore in Baloda Bazar as an example of the Bhupesh Baghel government's commitment to the welfare of Chhattisgarh's citizens.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Chhattisgarh on Thursday.

In a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Centre, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the saffron party of misleading and confusing people. Speaking at a farmers and labourers' conference in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district, Kharge argued that the BJP can never understand the depths of poverty and said that the Congress has consistently fought for the rights of the poor.

“Congress understands what poverty is and works wholeheartedly for the poor and farmers. But the BJP cannot even think about the work that the Congress Party does for villages, poor labourers and farmers. They just spread confusion,” remarked Mallikarjun Kharge in the poll-bound state.

Kharge Lauds Baghel Government's Efforts

Kharge lauded the initiatives of the Chhattisgarh government led by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He commended the effective implementation of various programmess, citing the allocation of schemes worth Rs 2,300 crore in Baloda Bazar as an example of the government's commitment to the welfare of the citizens.

"BJP will be surprised by what Congress has accomplished for the people of the state over the past five years. BJP knows that the people are rallying behind the Congress and no one can remove us from the government if we continue our efforts," Kharge emphasized.

'Women's Reservation Bill A Jumla'

Labelling the Women's Reservation bill as a mere 'jumla' (rhetoric) by the BJP government at the Centre, Kharge expressed scepticism regarding its implementation. He contended that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would never grant women the promised reservation, neither in 2024 nor in 2029.

"This is just an election slogan; like the PM’s promise of jobs for 10 crore people, which was never fulfilled. Did Rs 15 lakh reach anyone's account? All these turned out to be just statements. Women's reservation will also turn out to be just an election phrase," he said.

Kharge Launches Development Schemes

Kharge, alongside CM Baghel, inaugurated 264 development projects valued at Rs 266 crore in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district. These included the inauguration of 150 projects worth Rs 176 crore and the groundbreaking ceremony for 114 projects worth Rs 90 crore. Additionally, financial assistance through Nyay and labour schemes was distributed among farmers and workers.

The event also saw the transfer of Rs 1,895 crore to the bank accounts of 24.52 lakh farmers of the state under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, along with Rs 5.16 crore transferred to 65,000 cow dung sellers under the Godhan Nyay Yojana. These transfers brought the total amount disbursed under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana to Rs 23,893 crore and the Godhan Nyay Yojana to Rs 507.14 crore. Furthermore, Rs 57.18 crore was awarded as incentives to 33,642 sugarcane farmers.

Pension Scheme for Construction Workers

An initiative known as the Chief Minister's Construction Workers Pension Assistance Scheme was introduced during the conference. Under this scheme, construction workers who have been registered for 10 years and have reached the age of 60 will receive a lifelong pension assistance of Rs 1,500.

Financial Aid Distribution

To provide financial relief, Rs 55.76 crore was disbursed to more than 1.2 lakh beneficiaries through various schemes. This allocation included Rs 3.86 crore to 2,881 beneficiaries of the Chhattisgarh Unorganized Workers Social Security Board, Rs 1.65 crore to 3,236 beneficiaries of the Chhattisgarh Labour Welfare Board, and Rs 50.24 crore to 96,772 beneficiaries of the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Board.