Chief Minister disbursed an amount of Rs 18.47 crore to the beneficiaries of Godhan NYAY Yojana

Forest Department and Women Self-Help Groups preparing 'Gedis' for public ahead of Hareli festival

Beneficiaries of the Godhan NYAY Yojana have received a total payment of Rs 507.14 crores so far

Raipur TNINS 

Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel has appealed to the citizens, farmers, Sarpanchs, gram patels, Gauthan committees, and officials to make arrangements for "Roka-Cheka" in the villages from July 6 to July 17. He emphasized that with the onset of the monsoon, the work of sowing and planting commenced in the villages. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the crops. Roka-Cheka helps in safeguarding crops from stray animals. Chief Minister has urged to inform people about the 'Roka-Cheka' through 'Munaadi' in villages and also to make arrangements for fodder and water for animals in the Gauthans.

He was addressing a programme organized at his residence office today for the distribution of funds under the Godhan NYAY Yojana. He disbursed an amount of Rs 18.47 crores to the beneficiaries of the Godhan NYAY Yojana. This includes payment of Rs 5.05 crore to cattle herders, farmers, and landless individuals in lieu of 2.52 lakh quintals of cow dung procured during the period of June 15 to June 30. Additionally, a sum of Rs 7.79 crore has been disbursed to the Gauthan Committees, while women's groups received Rs 5.53 crore as dividends.

Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the residents for the upcoming Hareli festival, which will be observed on the 17th of this month. He appealed to the farmers to increase the area under cultivation not only for paddy but also for other Kharif crops. He mentioned that all crops are currently receiving good prices in Chhattisgarh. Therefore, farmers should consider cultivating other Kharif crops along with paddy. He further assured that there will be no shortage of fertilizers and seeds, and sufficient organic fertilizers are available in our Gauthans. He urged the farmers to use more organic fertilizers and bio-pesticides during the Kharif season.

"Many areas in the state are experiencing good rainfall. The sowing process has begun, and there is no need for me to provide detailed information on seed selection, as you all know better. Nevertheless, I would like to encourage all of you to seek guidance from the Department of Agriculture as the combination of experience and science yields better results. Sowing of kharif crops has already been completed in an area of 3.33 lakh hectares in the state. The target area for sowing during this season is set at 48.20 lakh hectares.", he said.

Chief Minister highlighted that Chhattisgarh continues to be known as the "Rice Bowl." During the previous marketing season, the state not only made the highest contribution to the central pool but also had the highest number of farmers selling paddy across the country. A total of 107.53 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured last year, with approximately 24 lakh farmers selling their paddy.

Furthermore, Chief Minister announced that the Hareli festival will be celebrated with great enthusiasm this year as well. The state government is making special arrangements for 'Gedi' for the general public. These 'Gedis' will be manufactured and sold by the forest department and women Self-Help Groups. Citizens can purchase these 'Gedis' from the offices of the Forest Department, C-Mart, and Gauthans by paying the prescribed fee.

It is worth mentioning that a total payment of Rs 507.14 crores has been made to the beneficiaries of the Godhan NYAY Yojana so far. This includes payment of Rs 247.12 crore to the cow dung sellers and Rs 244.95 crore to the Gauthan Committees and women self-help groups. Under the Godhan NYAY Yojana, cow dung is being procured at the rate of Rs 2 per Kg since July 20, 2020, in the state. A total of 123.56 lakh quintals of cow dung is purchased in Gauthans until June 30 this year. To date, self-supporting Gauthans in the state have purchased cow dung worth Rs 64.61 crore using their own resources. Out of the Rs 5.05 crore released today for the purchase of cow dung, Rs 2.92 crore has been paid by the self-supporting Gauthans, and Rs 2.13 crore has been paid by the Agriculture Department. A total of 5,419 Gauthans are purchasing more than 30 quintals of cow dung.

Women Self-Help Groups associated with the Gauthans have generated an income of Rs 158.42 crores through livelihood activities conducted in Gauthans. As many as 17,486 women self-help groups, with a total membership of 2,05,817, are associated with Gauthans across the state. The cow dung procured in Gauthans is being utilized for the production of electricity, natural paint, and other materials. Furthermore, women groups in Gauthans are engaged in various income-generating activities including vegetable and mushroom cultivation, poultry, fish and goat farming, and animal husbandry.

Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Shri Girish Dewangan, Chief Minister's Advisor Shri Pradeep Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Subrat Sahoo, Principal Secretary Forest Shri Manoj Pingua, Agriculture Production Commissioner Dr Kamal Preet Singh, Panchayat and Rural Development Secretary Shri Prasanna R., Special Secretary Agriculture Dr Ayyaj F. Tamboli, Agriculture Director Smt. Ranu Sahu, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Shri Arun Kumar Pandey, State Nodal Officer for RIPA Shri Gaurav Singh, State Nodal Officer for NRLM Smt. Padmini Bhoi and Livestock Director Smt. Chandan Sanjay Tripathi along with other senior officials were present on the occasion.