Chhattisgarh

• 10 Jul 2023

CM Inaugurated and Laid the Foundation Stone of various works

Why in News?

On July 8, 2023, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel laid the foundation stone, bhoomi pujan and inaugurated various construction works including the Khelo India Multipurpose Indoor Stadium Hall located under the Mahatma Gandhi Stadium through video conferencing from the Chief Minister's residence office.

Key Points:

• The Chief Minister inaugurated this fully equipped multipurpose indoor hall built at a cost of Rs 4 crore 37 lakh 64 thousand here. There are 04 badminton courts, 03 table tennis, basketball and volleyball courts for the players.
• In the Multipurpose Indoor Hall, a separate changing room, washroom, clock room, sports equipment room, and seating area is available on the first floor for male and female players. There are also plans for a squash court, shooting range etc. for the future.
• Along with this, the Chief Minister inaugurated Swami Atmanand Excellence Schools in Keshavpur, Sohga, Rajapur, Bilaspur and Nimha constructed at a cost of 6 crore 86 lakh 11 thousand. On the other hand, Bhumi Pujan was done for works costing Rs 5 crore 39 lakh 47 thousand.

For the protection of Kharif crop, 'Roka-Chheka Abhiyan' to be launched this year as well

Why in News?

On July 7, 2023, the Agriculture Department of Chhattisgarh has directed all the Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats to 'stop' in the villages till July 17, according to the local conditions, to control the animals grazing in the open and to protect the Kharif crops from them. Guidelines have been issued to run 'Chheka Abhiyan'.

Key Points:

• In the instructions issued by the Agriculture Department, it has been said that like last year, arrangements should be made according to the practice of Roka-Chheka. For this, a meeting should be organized at the village level by July 17 by running a Roka-Chheka campaign according to the local situation. Along with this, pastures should be established in all the constructed Gauthans before 30th July. Where there is fodder production.
• Officials have been asked to organize meetings at the village level under the Roka-Chheka campaign, in which the decision to save crops from animals will be taken by the village sarpanch, panch, public representatives and villagers as per the practice of 'Roka Chheka'.
• In order to save the crop from grazing, instructions have also been given to bring animals to Gothan regularly, to organize Munadi in every Gothan village and to organize veterinary and health camps in Gothans.
• In the issued instructions, under the 'Roka Chheka' practice, it has also been asked to organize a meeting of the Gothan Management Committee for proper arrangements for the management and maintenance of animals in Gothans. Instructions have been given to ensure the active participation of the members by amending the committee with the approval of the minister in-charge, as per the approval of the in-charge minister in such Gothans.
• It may be noted that this year also, a Roka-Chheka campaign is being started to control the animals grazing in the open and to protect the Kharif crops from them. Roka-Chheka is an old tradition of Chhattisgarh.
• On the initiative of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, it has been started in the state as a campaign, which has yielded very encouraging results. Keeping this in mind, this campaign is being run again in the state during the current year.
• It is worth mentioning that in the state of Chhattisgarh, the 'Roka Chheka' practice is prevalent for the control of animals grazing in the open before sowing of Kharif crops, in which to promote crop sowing and to protect the crop from loss due to grazing of animals. Arrangements for Pahatiya (Charwaha) etc. are done by the cattle rearers and the villagers to keep the animals tied. With this effort, not only farmers are able to do sowing work quickly, but they are also motivated to take another crop.

PM Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stones in Raipur

Why in News?

On July 7, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth about Rs 7500 crore in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and dedicated them to the nation.

Key Points:

• Taking a major step towards infrastructure development, the Prime Minister today laid the foundation stone and dedicated five National Highway projects worth about Rs 6,400 crore.
• Among the projects to be dedicated to the nation, is 33 km of the Raipur to Kodebod section on the Jabalpur-Jagdalpur National Highway. Long 4-lane roadway included.
  • Apart from promoting tourism, this section is important for the movement of raw materials, finished products of steel plants near Jagdalpur and provides connectivity to iron ore-rich areas.
• At the event, the PM dedicated the national four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130.
  • It will help in improving the connectivity of Chhattisgarh with Uttar Pradesh and promote coal movement by providing connectivity to coal mines in nearby areas.
• The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for 3 National Highway projects for the Chhattisgarh section of the 6-lane greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor.
  • He laid the foundation stone for the construction of three sections - Jhanki-Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km) - as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor NH-130 CD.
  • Apart from this, a major component of this project is 2.8 Km. There is a long 6-lane tunnel, which includes 27 animal evacuation routes and 17 monkey shelters for the unrestricted wildlife sanctuary area in the Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary area.
  • These projects will provide better connectivity to rice mills in Dhamtari and bauxite-rich areas in Kanker and also benefit the handicraft industry in Kondagaon. Overall, these projects will give prominence to the socio-economic development of the region.
• The Prime Minister completed 103 km at a cost of Rs 750 crore. He also dedicated the doubling of the long Raipur-Khariar road rail line to the nation. This will make it easier for industries in Chhattisgarh to transport coal, steel, fertilizers and other commodities from ports.
• He also inaugurated the 17 km Keoti-Antagarh link developed at a cost of Rs 290 crore. He also dedicated the long new railway line to the nation. The new railway line will provide connectivity to Bhilai Steel Plant with iron ore mines of Dalli-Rajhara and Rowghat areas and will connect remote areas of southern Chhattisgarh passing through dense forests.
• The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum at Korba built at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.
• He also flagged off Antagarh-Raipur train through a video link. Apart from this, the Prime Minister launched the distribution of 75 lakh cards to the beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat.
• The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of two economic corridors in Chhattisgarh, the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor and the Raipur-Vishakhapatnam Economic Corridor.
• Addressing a gathering on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that these projects will make life easier for the people and strengthen the healthcare system in the state. These projects will increase employment opportunities in the state, as well as benefit paddy farmers, the mineral industry and the tourism industry of Chhattisgarh.
• Chhattisgarh Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, as well as Members of Parliament, were present on the occasion. and other dignitaries were also present.