Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel reviews preparations for the scheme at Collector’s Conference
Raipur: Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that the entire responsibility of executing and monitoring Godhan Nyay Yojana has been entrusted with District Collectors. This scheme is being talked about across the country. Economists and social organizations across the country are observing this scheme. This scheme will turn cowdung into a profitable commodity. He said that the state already has systematic procedure and infrastructure for tendupatta collection, paddy procurement, and minor forest produce procurement at support price. In days to come, cowdung procurement will be done on the same lines, along with marketing of the vermi-compost so produced. Mr. Baghel was addressing the Collectors’ Conference held via video conferencing from his residence.
Chief Minister said that gauthans have always been part of Chhattisgarh’s traditions, and now these gauthans are being given modern makeover to make it commercially viable as well. These modern cowsheds will create employment opportunities and additional source of income for people in rural areas. Gauthan and Godhan Nyay Yojana are villagers’ very own schemes. State Government is providing all kinds of resources and arrangements for inauguration of this scheme. In near future villagers themselves wil execute these schemes.
Mr. Baghel said that on July 20 i.e. on the occasion of Hareli festival, State Government’s ambitious Godhan Nyay Yojana will be launched state-wide. From July 20 onwards, programmes will be organized in gauthans across the state on different dates, which will be attended by State Government’s, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, panchayati raj institutions and public representatives of urban bodies. Chief Minister directed the District Collectors to constitute gauthan samitis with approval of In-charge Ministers of respective districts. Self-help groups should be identified for delegating the works of gauthans. Mr. Baghel said that the task of cowdung procurement and vermi-compost preparations should be given to only those who do not hesitate to touch cowdung.
Chief Minister said that in the first phase, procurement of cow dung will be started in 2408 cowsheds in rural areas and 377 cowsheds in urban areas. He added that cowsheds will be constructed in all 11 thousand 630 gram panchayats and then in 20 thousand villages in a phased manner, to expand the scheme in these areas. In the context, Collectors have been directed to earmark land for cowshed construction. He also directed the Collectors to pay special attention towards the training of self-help groups. Proper arrangements should be made to provide vermi compost preparation training to the self-help groups with the help of Agriculture Department, Veterinary, Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
These schemes will play an important role in strengthening Chhattisgarh’s rural economy. Mr. Baghel said that this year we are celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. These schemes are a leap towards realization of Bapu’s vision of Gram Swawaj. State Government is planning to develop Gauthans are as livelihood centers and rural industrial parks. Chief Minister has also directed the District Collectors to consult with the business organizations and various companies of their districts and collect information about the scope of manufacturing such items locally.
Mr. Baghel said that in near future, a large quantity of vermi compost will be produced in the Gauthans of Chhattisgarh, although its biggest customers will be the farmers of the village. Besides, forest, agriculture, horticulture, urban development department and other departments which require vermicompost will procure vermicompost produced in gauthans through cooperative on priority basis. Chief Minister said that research work should be carried out at Dau Vasudev Chandrakar Kamadhenu University in Durg, and studies on subject of organic manure, preparation of medicines from cow urine and organic pesticides should be conducted. Mr. Baghel also instructed the officials to ensure that the Patwari go to the fields to harvest the crops. Submit the photo with your presence in the Patwari field to the concerned revenue inspector and the tehsildar. He reviewed the progress of the state government’s plan to give ownership to the people occupying leases of Nazul and Abadi lands While reviewing the progress of English medium schools being started in the state, Mr. Baghel said that all modern facilities should be provided in these schools. The quality of education in these schools should be such that even senior officers do not hesitate to teach their children there.
Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Shri Ravindra Choubey said that baskets prepared by the bamboo craftsmen should be used for procuring cow dung in the Gauthans. Baskets of capacity 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg should be used. This would also provide employment to the bamboo craftsmen. Weighing machines should be arranged for weighing. He informed that the funds for this purpose are being provided by the Gau-Seva Commission, DMF, Campa, Panchayat and Rural Development Department for necessary arrangements in Gauthan committees.
In the conference, Chief Secretary Mr. RP Mandal, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Subrata Sahu, Principal Secretary Forest Mr. Manoj Pingua, Principal Secretary to Panchayat and Rural Development Mr. Gaurav Dwivedi, Commissioner of Agricultural Production Dr. M. Geeta, Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Siddharth Komal Pardeshi, Secretary of Food Department, Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Cooperative Secretary Mr. R. Prasanna, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi, Secretary of Urban Development, Mrs. Alamel Mangai D., Secretary of Revenue Department, Ms. Rita Shandilya, Rural Development Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Parliamentary Advisor to the Chief Minister, Mr. Rajesh Tiwari, Deputy Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Ms. Soumya Chaurasia were present.