RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday asserted that the state governments should be given appropriate rights for development based on the existing circumstances, conditions and culture on local level and he urged that his state needs special policies and strategies for its development. Chief minister was speaking at the 23rd Central Zonal Council meeting in Bhopal, chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah.
While attending the virtual conference from state capital, CM Baghel urged, “Since we have celebrated 75th year of independence, it’s needed to think with maturity about the highest level of policy regulatory and with all faith towards states, state governments should be given proper rights for development, depending upon the local conditions and traditional culture.”
He said, “As Chhattisgarh covers about 44 per cent of forest area and the population of Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes, Naxal affected people, state needs special policies and strategies for development. We are trying best with limited resources but we need special assistance from Government of India.”
Highlighting the proposals sent tot Union government, Baghel said that approval is pending for nutrient based subsidy on chemical fertilizers and vermi compost being produced in state under Narwa Gharwa Ghurwa Badi scheme meant to boost rural economy.
Baghel requested to fix minimum support price for minor forest produce like kodo, kutki, for which the state has fixed a minimum price of Rs 3000 per quintal.
About 154 roads stretching to 562 kms of stage one on Maoist affected Bastar division has completed and there’s need for work to be initiated on stage 2, besides 426 bridges to be made on roads being constructed under Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana needs approval from Centre, CM Said adding that the last dates for works under PMGSY in Bastar division should be extended, given the insurgency circumstances.
“According to Union Rural Development Ministry’s RCPLWE scheme, works of about Rs 624 crore was sanctioned for 95 roads and 63 bridges in Maoist affected Bastar division and Rajnandgaon district and the last date of completion for it is March 2023. In case of non-completion of work in time, state government will have to bear the cost of it but given the rainfall conditions and inviting tenders, it’s not possible to complete the task within eight months, hence, deadline should be extended till March 2024,” CM urged.
He said that cargo hub needs to be developed at Swami Vivekananda Raipur Airport and a speedy action awaited on pending demands of refund of deposits in new pension scheme.
Baghel demanded reimbursement of expenditures made by the state government towards fighting Naxalism and said that reminded about his earlier demand on GST compensation and transfer of amount collected as additional levy from coal companies.
“There have been loss of revenue due to GST system and the Centre is yet to make arrangements to compensate loss of revenue that amounts to Rs 5000 crore, hence, the GST compensation grant should be continued for next five years after June 2022.
