Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in his address to the special session held at Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, paid courteous tribute to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary on Wednesday. 

He also paid tribute to former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, whose birth anniversary also falls on this day. Baghel said Gandhi’s teachings and ideals are relevant even today and will be relevant in future as well. Chhattisgarh government’s efforts for public welfare are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, he said.

Baghel said that Chhattisgarh government is following the path of Gram Swaraj, as visualised by Mahatma Gandhi. “Our farmers were turning into labourers, we have provided them support price of Rs 2500 per quintal for paddy.” He particularly mentioned Suraji Gram Yojana ‘Narva, Garua, Ghurva, Bari Vikas Yojana’. He said, Chhattisgarh government has launched five major schemes namely Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan, Chief Minister Haat Bazaar Clinic Scheme, Chief Minister Urban Slum Clinic Scheme, Universal PDS Scheme, and Chief Minister Ward Office Scheme on Wednesday to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi.

Chief Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi was against violence. In Chhattisgarh a lot of people were affected by Naxal-violence, many died and many became homeless. He said that state government would provide housing to people, who have become homeless due to Naxal-violence.

Baghel announced in the assembly that a special award would be launched in the memory of Dr. Prabhu  Dutt Kheda, who dedicated his life to serve tribal people. This award will be provided to those officials, public representatives, organisations and representatives who have made excellent contribution in tribal welfare.

Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly is one among the first legislative assembly in the country to organise special session on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birthday.

He said that “our Vedas and Upanishads have been preaching non-violence since ancient times. Gautam Buddha and Mahavir had also advocated non-violence. Mahatma Gandhi embodied these saintly teachings and followed the path of truth and non-violence to free India without any bloodshed.” Chief Minister said that Mahatma Gandhi’s idea of nationalism was based on all-inclusive development. He dedicated his life to women empowerment, women education, uplift of the poor, service of destitute.