Raipur. Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan read the address while addressing the first session of Chhattisgarh Assembly held in the year 2024. While addressing the second session of the 6th Assembly of Chhattisgarh, the Governor enumerated the works of the government and praised it. During this, Governor Harichandan was welcomed by Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brijmohan Agarwal.
Addressing the first session of the Assembly held in the year 2024, the Governor said, I heartily congratulate all of you. I send congratulations and best wishes to all of you.
The Governor said, the sixth assembly of Chhattisgarh was formed in December 2023. In my address to the first session of the newly constituted Assembly on December 20, 2023, I had said that my government is based on that of the creator of the state of Chhattisgarh, former Prime Minister Late. It is determined to start a new era of good governance in Chhattisgarh as per the ideals and principles of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am happy that in a short period, my government has taken concrete steps towards fulfilling the promises made to the people, due to which a new era of justice, relief and development has started in the state. 
He said, my government has swiftly implemented the concept of “Prosperous Farmer-Prosperous State” and has transferred the outstanding bonus of Rs 3,716 crore for the year’s paddy.
The promise of purchasing 21 quintals of paddy per acre for purchasing paddy from farmers at support price was also kept and a transparent and easy arrangement for purchasing paddy was also made, due to which the record of highest paddy purchase so far has been established in Chhattisgarh this year.
The motto “Jati Uthan – Honor of the State” expresses the sensitivity and positive thinking of my government on all aspects related to the life of Scheduled Tribes. Work will be done rapidly on all subjects ranging from children’s education to culture of the entire community, health, essential infrastructure, employment, upgradation of living standards.
Through Pradhan Mantri Tribal Tribal Justice Maha Abhiyan (PM Janman), PVTGs i.e. specially backward tribal groups (Baiga, Kamar, Pahari Korwa, Birhor and Abujhmadiya) are being provided basic facilities like permanent houses, link roads, construction of hostels, pure drinking water, My government is committed to electrification, construction of multi-purpose centres, Anganwadi centers and Van Dhan centres, establishment of mobile towers, and to fill it with vocational education and skills. Under the PM Janman Maha Abhiyan, 66 mobile medical unit vehicles are being used for health check-up, treatment and medicine distribution of specially protected tribes.
The Governor said, my government will give high priority to strengthening the means of livelihood related to all minor forest produce including tendupatta, mahua, tamarind. My government is committed to provide collection remuneration of tendu leaves of Rs 5500 per standard bag and bonus of up to Rs 4500 to the collectors. Collectors and their family members will be benefited from various schemes which will pave the way for their health, education and all-round development. Along with this, local residents will be empowered to remove regional imbalance of development and take advantage of new possibilities and new opportunities.
The decision to provide permanent houses to about 18 lakh beneficiaries deprived of the benefits of “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana” was taken in the first meeting of the Cabinet. This will provide new life to homeless families in rural areas. At the same time, my government has moved forward to complete the work of ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ 100 percent to provide clean water to every home. This is a great example of the fairness and sensitive approach of my government.
My government is determined to provide quality infrastructure as well as new means of livelihood to the villages through a strong Panchayati Raj system. With this, the villages of the state will become new power centers of economic self-reliance, traditional respect and social consciousness.
My government is working towards further strengthening the public distribution system. The facility of biometric authentication has been made available through “One Nation One Ration Card” scheme and “e-POS machine”. My government has decided to provide free rice till December 2028 under “Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana”. Under this scheme in Chhattisgarh, 67 lakh 94 thousand Antyodaya, Priority, Single Destitute and Disabled ration card holders will be given monthly entitlement rice.
Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan said, “Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana” has played a big role in making the lives of women easier. Under this, more than 36 lakh new gas connections have been issued so far in the state. This facility will also be extended to 100% eligible beneficiaries.
To empower the police forces to discharge their duties, my government has decided to equip them with new facilities. On the other hand, sensitive steps have also been taken from humanitarian point of view to solve their problems. The police force will be given modern weapons, telecommunication and better quality equipment as per the requirements. The work for the development of police infrastructure in Naxal affected areas will be completed soon at a cost of approximately Rs 201 crore. My government is determined to establish the rule of law in the state and is committed to making Chhattisgarh a completely Naxal problem-free state. The main objective of my government is to work on priority basis in the field of basic facilities, education and health in Naxal affected areas.
Respecting the hard service, dedication and devotion of the police employees, my government has decided to give one day weekly leave to the constable to inspector level posted in the plain areas. District Police Force personnel posted in Naxal affected and inaccessible areas will be given 8 days leave once in 3 months instead of weekly leave. Instructions regarding leave eligibility and procedure have been issued.
My government is weaving the fabric of cultural and tourism development by taking a holistic view of the natural beauty of the state, cultures of forest dwellers and other areas, festivals of different areas, public faith centers etc. An action plan is being made to develop 5 Shakti Peethas – Kudargarh, Chandrapur, Ratanpur, Dantewada and Dongargarh on the lines of 4 Dhams. Similarly, local characteristics will be made the center of tourism development.
Rajim Kumbh (Kalpa) is not only the triveni confluence of three life-giving rivers but through it the triveni of faith, harmony and local development was also developed. My government is continuously making efforts to give Rajim Kumbh (Kalpa) a very respectable place in the pilgrimage map of the country and the world.
The consecration of the statue of Lord Shri Ram Lalla in Ayodhya Dham has generated unprecedented enthusiasm and devotion in the whole world, to further increase which, my government is providing incentive amount to 5000 registered Ramayana troupes and bhajan troupes. My government is going to fulfill the promise of starting Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana for the people of Chhattisgarh. Under this scheme, thousands of pilgrims every year will be able to get the benefit of darshan of Ayodhya Dham and Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Corridor Aarti.
Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan said, having about 44 percent forest area of the geographical area of Chhattisgarh is a matter of great pride for the people of the state. Forest resources also play a very important role in the environmental balance and economy of the state. My Government will utilize various financial resources including CAMPA item for conservation and promotion of forests as well as forest culture. Environmentally friendly means of livelihood will be developed for forest dwellers and forest dependents. Participation of forest dwellers in forest management will be increased through joint forest management. Along with this, by starting “Project Baghwa” 6, we have taken an important step towards increasing the population of tigers and keeping them safe.
My government has made a strategy for the all-round development of the youth, under which quality-cultured-employable education infrastructure will be developed from school to college. To make students proficient in innovation and creative work, the work of establishment of “Innovation Hub” will be completed in Science Center Raipur. In all the districts of the state, facilities like Sports Academy, Khelo India Mini Centre, Sports Stadium etc. will be properly developed as per the characteristics there. As per the promise made, my government is taking concrete steps to implement the new National Education Policy in the entire state.
Taking seriously the complaints of irregularities in the recruitment process by the State Public Service Commission, my government has decided to conduct a CBI inquiry. The relaxation period of maximum age limit for recruitment in government services for local residents of Chhattisgarh has been extended by five years. I believe that these steps will bring back the confidence of students and youth and they will be afresh prepared for competitions in every field.
My government is conscious of proper care, safety and healthy development of women and children. For the prevention of malnutrition, many successful schemes have been achieved through various schemes like “Mukhyamantri Bal Samprashan Yojana”, “Weighing Festival”, “Poorak Nutrition Diet Scheme”, “Ready-to-Eat Nutrition Diet”. The steps were decided. My government is now ready to take them forward and add new dimensions to them. Expansion of facilities like “Sakhi-One-Stop Centre”, “Women’s Help Line”, “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao Yojana”, “Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh”, “Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana” Will be done in a better form. My government will run appropriate schemes to provide respect and rights to mother power.
To help married women in fulfilling their responsibilities as per their social status, my government has decided to start “Mahtari Vandan Yojana”. Under this scheme, an initiative has been started to fulfill the promise of providing annual financial assistance of Rs 12000.
The Governor further said, my government will provide comprehensive infrastructure in the state like good roads, adequate water from irrigation to drinking water, continuous and quality power supply, better health facilities and better and transparent public services through technology, employment opportunities in IT and other sectors. Will develop.
Industry, trade and business activities will be accelerated by judicious use of various resources of the state. On one hand, my government is determined to increase the revenue of the state appropriately. On the other hand, more and more employment opportunities will be created on a large scale in various sectors. The aim of the development of the state will be empowerment of the people of the state.
To fulfill the objective of making the state sickle cell anemia free, free medicines and consultation are being provided to all sickle cell patients.
My government will create an ideal investment environment in the state, in which the interests of investors as well as the public are legally protected. Public interest will be given top priority in every provision like compensation, rehabilitation package.
My government is determined to realize the vision of Antyodaya. Will continuously evaluate the works to achieve sustainable development goals. For this, the help of “Indicator Framework” will be taken for review at the state and district level. State-of-the-art tools like “Atal Portal” will be used for quality and reliable development related data.
This is an era of rapid progress in the field of knowledge and science. To compete with the country and the world and make their place, it is necessary for the elected representatives along with the citizens to be empowered with the latest information and technology. I wish that all of you members touch new heights of public interest and development with new thinking and use of new means. I am sure that all of you will set big goals and use all your talent, dedication and hard work to achieve them. I wish that with your contribution the prestige and fame of Chhattisgarh Assembly spreads in all directions.
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