Baghel targets Centre as he defends C'garh policies

| | RAIPUR
  • 0

Baghel targets Centre as he defends C'garh policies

Saturday, 27 February 2021 | Staff Reporter | RAIPUR

nChhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday took on the Central government as he vowed to stand by farmers and defended the decision to sell surplus paddy procured in the state.

Replying to a discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor's address, he said both the country and the state belongs to 'annadaata' (farmers). "We will not let the farmers be deprived of their rights. We will not allow deceit with those who provide food."

Baghel accused the Central government of not paying attention to the farmers protesting on the national capital's borders against the farm laws even though some 200 of them have died.

He said the farm laws were being thrust on the farmers despite their opposition.

Baghel vowed to keep writing letters to the Central government on issues concerning Chhattisgarh even though the BJP had dubbed him a ‘patrajivi’.

He said that when the Centre agreed to deposit 60 lakh tonnes of rice from Chhattisgarh in the Central Pool, the opposition had the Centre should be thanked.

The day the Central government lives up to its promise, the whole House will thank them, he underlined. The Centre has agreed to have only 24 lakh tonnes of rice deposited in the Central pool.

The Chief Minister said that compared to earlier times, more people were taking interest in agriculture as a result of the state's policies.

He pointed out that in 2020-21, 21,52,475 farmers were registered and 20,53,483 sold paddy. This amounted to 95.38 percent. This time farmers produced paddy in 24,86,665 hectares in the state -- much more than in 2015-16.

He said that there will be no need to sell paddy or rice outside if the Centre lifted 60 lakh tonnes from the state.

The country has become self-supporting and we now have surplus foodgrains but the Centre is unable to arrange for its disposal, he said.

Baghel then spoke about the higher wages paid to tendupatta collectors, value addition done to minor forest produce and resolution of pending cases of Forest Land Right certificates.

Chhattisgarh is the first state to distribute forestland right certificates to forest dwellers, he said.

Baghel said the new industrial policy had led to the establishment of 1,249 industries, giving employment to many. Similarly, 104 MoUs were signed for mega industrial projects.

"We have set a goal to establish 200 Food Parks," he said, adding 111 locations had been identified.

In the last two years, due to better management of water resources, actual irrigation has increased from 9,68,000 hectares to 13 lakh hectares. He said the previous government spent `18,225 crores over 15 years but the irrigation capacity improved by only 16,000 hectares.

Defending the law and order situation in the state, the Chief Minister said the India Justice Report 2020 released by Tata Trust has described policing in Chhattisgarh as the second best in the country.

He said the Central government owes Chhattisgarh `1,473 crores in central taxes. From 2004 till now, the Centre owes `15,154 crores to the state.

Opposing unilateral disinvestment, Baghel the Nagarnar Steel Plant should be operated by public sector companies. He said his government was working to save the plant.

The Chief Minister asked the Centre to arrange for free Covid vaccination for everyone in the country, not just three crore people.

If this was not done, he promised to arrange for Covid vaccination for everyone in Chhattisgarh at government expense.

He said Covaxin has been used for only 1 percent of people in 11 states. Chhattisgarh will use this vaccine only after the third trial.

The Assembly then passed the motion by voice vote.

Sunday Edition

CAA PASSPORT TO FREEDOM

24 March 2024 | Kumar Chellappan | Agenda

CHENNAI EXPRESS IN GURUGRAM

24 March 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

The Way of Bengal

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

The Pizza Philosopher

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

Astroturf | Lord Shiva calls for all-inclusiveness

24 March 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

Interconnected narrative l Forest conservation l Agriculture l Food security

24 March 2024 | BKP Sinha/ Arvind K jha | Agenda