Godhan Nyay Scheme of Chhattisgarh. | 08 Aug 2022

Why In News?

In the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, 2022, the Prime Minister mentioned about the Godhan Nyay scheme of Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also attended the seventh meeting of the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. During this time, he spoke on various schemes and topics related to the state's interest in addition to the agenda points related to the meeting.
• In the meeting, the Prime Minister, especially referring to the Godhan Nyay Yojana, said that vermicompost being prepared from cow dung is helpful in increasing the productivity of the fields, it is a good scheme in the interest of farmers.
• Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that in the last three and a half years, NITI Aayog has appreciated the better performance of the aspirational districts of the state. Chhattisgarh is self-sufficient in the field of grain production. To promote crop diversification, 'Chhattisgarh Millet Mission' has been formed along with the implementation of 'Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana', 'Chief Minister Tree Plantation Promotion Scheme'.
• The Chief Minister suggested that free seeds of newly developed crop varieties should be made available through mini kits and breeder seed on a large scale through agricultural research institutes for crop diversification and increase the production and productivity of pulses, oilseeds.
• Regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy, the Chief Minister said that many important steps have been taken in this direction in the state. Good quality infrastructure, equipment, educational and curricular activities are being conducted including the establishment of Swami Atmanand Excellent English Medium School.
• Discussing the urban administration, the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh has won the state Swachh Survekshan for three consecutive years. Better work has been done in solid waste management in urban areas of the state. He suggested that MNREGA should be implemented in rural areas located near cities and cities with a population of less than 20 thousand.
• He also raised the issue of GST compensation in the meeting. He said that the gst tax system has caused revenue loss to the states, in the coming year, the center has not made arrangements to compensate the state for the loss of revenue of about Rs 5000 crore, so the GST compensation grant should be continued for the next 05 years even after June 2022 .
• At the same time, he said that in the union budget of the last three years, Chhattisgarh has received less share of Rs 13,089 crore in central taxes, which has created a situation of immense pressure on the resources of the state. The amount of share of central taxes should be given entirely to the state.
• The Chief Minister demanded the coal block companies to give Rs 4,140 crore deposited with the Center on coal exploration at the rate of Rs 295 per tonne to Chhattisgarh soon. About 65 percent of the state's mineral revenue source is iron ore mines operating in the state. He requested for revision of royalty rates of coal and other major minerals.
• The Chief Minister said that the expenditure on internal security should be borne by the Central Government. The central government should bear the security expenditure of Rs 11,828 crore on the deployment of central forces in the state for naxal eradication and the state should be freed from this arrears.
• The Chief Minister also urged for exemption under the Forest Conservation Act in setting up solar power plants up to 5 MW in 10 aspirational districts of Chhattisgarh. Along with this, he requested for early action on the pending demands including refund of deposits in the new pension scheme, ensuring availability of jute gunny bags.