Raipur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today praised Chhattisgarh’s Godhan Nyay Yojana in the 7th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, saying that the scheme is in the interest of the farmers as vermi-compost prepared from cowdung helps in increasing the productivity of the field.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who attended the meeting, elaborated on the scheme and added that the state government has also started procuring cow urine to produce natural fertilizers.
He suggested that agricultural research institutes should be given the responsibility of providing free seeds of newly developed crop varieties, mini kits and breeder seeds on a large scale to ensure crop diversification and increase in the production and productivity of pulses, oilseeds.
Addressing the meeting of the seventh Governing Council of NITI Aayog here under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, the chief minister said Chhattisgarh is self-sufficient in the production of food grains and has taken many innovative measures to increase the production of pulses and oilseeds in the state.
Elaborating on the steps being taken by the Chhattisgarh government, he said to promote crop diversification the state government has started implementation of Mukhyamantri Vriksharopan Protsaahan Yojana, under which a provision has been made to provide Rs 10,000 per hectare to farmers who cultivate pulses, oilseeds or do plantation instead of paddy. Along with Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Chhattisgarh Millet Mission has also been constituted.
The chief minister said that NITI Aayog has appreciated the better performance of the aspirational districts of the state in the last three and a half years. But there are still resource problems in the state, which should be resolved. He also urged for relaxation under Forest Conservation Act in setting up of 5 MW solar power plants in 10 aspirational districts of Chhattisgarh.
Regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy, the Chief Minister said that many important steps have been taken in this direction in the state. With the objective of providing good quality infrastructure, equipment, educational and co-curricular activities in the government schools, the state government has started Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium Schools in Chhattisgarh.
While speaking on the agenda of urban administration, the chief minister said that Chhattisgarh has won the state clean survey for three consecutive years. Better work has been done in solid waste management in the urban areas of the state.
He also suggested that MGNREGA should be implemented in rural areas located near cities and cities with population less than 20 thousand. In addition to the agenda points related to the meeting, the Chief Minister also spoke on various schemes and topics related to the state interest.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also reiterated the state’s demand of GST compensation, transferring of the amounts collected as ‘additional levy’ from coal block companies and reimbursement of expenditure of Rs 11 thousand 828 crores made by the state government for eradication of Naxalism.
The chief minister said that there has been a loss of revenue to the states due to the GST tax system, the Center has not made arrangements to compensate the loss of revenue of about Rs 5000 crores to the state in the coming year, so the GST compensation grant should be continued for the next 5 years even after June 2022.
He said Chhattisgarh has received less shares of central taxes by Rs 13,089 crore in the Union Budget of the last three years, resulting in extreme pressure on the resources of the state. In the coming budget, the share of central taxes should be given to the state completely.
He also demanded that Rs 4,140 crore deposited with the center at the rate of Rs 294 per tonne on coal mining from coal block companies should be transferred to Chhattisgarh soon. Mentioning that about 65 per cent of the mineral revenue of the state is the source of iron ore mines operating in the state. Therefore, revision of royalty rates is necessary in the financial interest of the state. He requested for revision in the rates of royalty for coal and other major minerals.
He also requested for speedy action on other pending demands of the state government including refund of deposits in New Pension Scheme and ensuring availability of jute gunny bags.
