Raipur, March 25 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai transferred ₹495.96 crore digitally into the bank accounts of 4,95,965 beneficiaries under a financial assistance scheme for landless agricultural laborers.
The amount was disbursed at an event held in the Balodabazar-Bhatapara district.
Addressing the gathering, Sai said that under the 'Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomihin Krishi Majdoor Kalyan Yojna,' landless agricultural laborers are being provided financial assistance of ₹10,000 annually to help meet their household needs, support children's education, and promote small businesses.
He noted that after a "joyous Holi" for farmers, the ongoing Chaitra Navratri festival has brought a message of prosperity and confidence for landless agricultural workers.
The scheme is not merely about providing financial aid, but a decisive step towards empowering laborers and ensuring dignity for them, he added.
The state government has been fulfilling its commitments made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "guarantees" (pre-poll promises) with speed and transparency, the CM maintained.
The government has been procuring paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal as promised, and has made provisions exceeding ₹10,000 crore to expand irrigation facilities, he emphasised.
Measures such as increasing tendu leaf procurement rates, reviving the 'Charan Paduka' scheme (targeted at tendu leaf collectors), implementing the Ram Lalla Darshan and Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan schemes (related to religious tourism) have been contributing to social and spiritual empowerment, he opined.
During the event, the Chief Minister symbolically handed over keys to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, stating that more than 18 lakh houses have been sanctioned over the past two years, bringing stability and security to thousands of families.
Referring to the recently launched 'Bijali Bill Samadhan Yojana' (electricity bill settlement scheme), Sai said that special concessions and easy installment options are being offered to consumers to clear pending electricity bills from the COVID-19 period.
The scheme will continue until June, with camps being organized across the state to help consumers settle their bills.
The CM asserted that Chhattisgarh aims to achieve new heights of development by ensuring better utilization of its mineral resources, agriculture, and forest produce.
Referring to Bastar, he declared that the vast region consisting of seven districts, once affected by Naxalism, is now rapidly moving towards peace, trust, and development, with years-long insurgency nearing its end.