Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel transferred Rs 2055.60 crore online into the accounts of beneficiaries as part of the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana and other schemes on Sunday. Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi praised him for fulfilling the former prime minister's wishes in a video message, news agency PTI reported. The event took place on Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary, which was declared 'Sadbhavna Diwas' by the administration.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Bhagel stated: "Today on the birth anniversary of former PM Rajiv Gandhi we distributed approximately Rs 2055 crore through various schemes. Farmers have got this money during their harvesting season."
According to a state government announcement, Rs 1,810 crore was transferred as the second installments under RGKNY, Rs 168.63 crore under Rajiv Gandhi Bhumihin Krishi Majdoor Nyay Yojana (RGBKMNY), Rs 66.21 crore to Rajiv Yuva Mitan Clubs, Rs 9.65 crore to Godhan Nyay Yojana beneficiaries, and Rs 1.11 crore under Mukhmantri Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana.
Sonia Gandhi stated in her video message that the Baghel administration fulfilled Rajiv Gandhi's aspirations by raising the living conditions of all sectors of society, calling it the best homage to the late Prime Minister.
She stated that agricultural success was critical to addressing poverty in the country, and that the Chhattisgarh government has made significant initiatives to improve the financial situation of several lakh farmers in the state.
“There is a ray of hope in their lives and happiness in their families. I am happy that apart from government subsidies under the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, many decisions have been taken for the upliftment of farmers of Chhattisgarh, which are an example for other states,” she said.
The state government's decisions had resulted in record output and an increase in farmer income, while important efforts had been taken under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhumihin Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana for agricultural labourers, according to the senior Congress representative.
“Rajiv ji used to say India is an ancient country but a young nation. In his own words, I am young and I also have a dream. My dream is to bring India strong, independent, self-reliant and to the first place in all the countries of the world and to serve mankind,” she said.
“Today, when we remember these words of Rajiv ji, it is understood that this dream cannot be fulfilled without the youth and farmers of the country. Rajiv ji had an unbreakable attachment to the farmers of the country. He had said if the farmers become weak then the country loses self-reliance but if they are strong then the independence of the country also becomes strong,” she added.
According to an NITI Aayog report, 40 lakh people in Chhattisgarh have risen out of poverty in the previous five years, according to CM Baghel.
“In Kabirdham, Surguja and Dantewada, 23 to 25 per cent people have come out of poverty. Poverty in Raipur, Dhamtari and Balod districts has now come down to less than 10 percent. This is our biggest achievement,” he was quoted by PTI in its report.
“We brought Nyay schemes for farmers, labourers and tribals. We created opportunities for them, strengthened the rural economy. Also, the state government strengthened the infrastructure of education and health besides expansion of infrastructure in urban areas,” the CM asserted.
He said that paddy procurement in the state had improved and that farmers were being paid on schedule.
Baghel laid the foundation stones for 224 development projects worth Rs 704 crore and flagged off 50 mobile veterinary units in Mahasamund district on the occasion.