'Nyay ke chaar saal': Significant decisions taken for the tribal welfare in the state

TNINS 

(LD Manikpuri, Assistant Information Officer, Public Relations)

Chhattisgarh is a rural and tribal dominated state. The state is blessed with rich folk culture and the traditional lifestyle of the tribals living in the remote Vananchal areas of Bastar-Surguja is filled with beautiful traditions and natural beauty of this place can captivate everyone's mind. Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has completed 4 years of his term with effective governance policies, be it for farmers,tribals,labourers,students,women. These four years have lead to a new dawn of development and progress of the state in various avenues. December 17, 2018 which is going to be celebrated as 'Rajya Gaurav divas' marks a significant date in the history of Chhattisgarh. It is Noteworthy that it is the first time in twenty two years of the state's formation, that Mr. Baghel,a farmer's son hailing from OBC background has risen up to take oath as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. 

Immediately after taking oath as Chief Minister, the whole convoy along with his cabinet headed towards the largest administrative center of the state i.e. Mahanadi Bhavan, Mantralaya in Naya Raipur and it is from here that the process of intensive discussion for the much needed tribal interests was started. The first decision taken in the interest of the tribals came with the return of the tribal land of the farmers of Lohandiguda,Bastar which had been acquired by a big MNC to set up a steel plant. Within just two months of forming the government, on February 16, 2019, the documents for 4200 acres of land of 1707 farmers were returned to them. Choosing the path of Nyay (justice), Bhupesh government increased the tendu leaf collection rate from twenty five hundred rupees to four thousand rupees per standard bag, giving a significant gift to uplift more than 12 lakh tendu leaf collectors. During the current year 2022, about 18 lakh standard bags of tendu leaves have been collected, which is more than 94 percent of the target. On the other hand, on the initiative of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, the varieties of minor forest produce procured on support price have been increased from 7 to 65.

Chhattisgarh is the leading state in terms of procuring Minor Forest Produce at maximum value which has benefitted  48 thousand women self-help group members through forest produce collection. 134 products have been processed and sold under the  Chhattisgarh 'Herbal Brand', as well as marketing work of about 200 products is going on through 30 Sanjivani Kendras. At the same time, the collection rates of minor forest produce were also increased. Under Shaheed Mahendra Karma Tendupatta Sangrahak Samajik Sahayta yojna, insurance claim amount of more than 71.08 crore has been paid to 4692 Tendupatta collector families. Ten thousand youth groups have been formed in 85 tribal development blocks under the 'Indira Van Mitan Yojana', benefiting 19 lakh families. After reviewing the cancelled Forest Rights lease(Pattas)  under the Forest Rights Act, so far more than four and a half lakh 55 thousand individual forest rights letters,  46 thousand community forest rights letters and about four thousand community forest resource rights letters have been distributed.

The Bhupesh government took an important decision to withdraw the cases registered against the tribals. A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of retired Honorable Justice Shri AK Patnaik,  Supreme Court. The Bhupesh government has also taken several steps in the direction of providing employment to the tribal youth with numerous initiatives. The recruitment drive of teachers for Bastar and Surguja divisions started with the commendable initiative to give priority to local residents in district level and divisional level third and fourth class posts for these two divisions. In all the districts of Bastar division, local youth are also being given jobs under the special force 'Bastar Fighters'.

It was on the initiative of  Chief Minister that 300 schools which were closed for the last 13 years were reopened in the naxal affected  Jagargunda of Sukma district. With the re-opening of the school, the happiness of the children and the enthusiasm of the parents are being evidently seen here. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel had started the 'Chief Minister Haat-Bazar Clinic Scheme' in the year 2019 on the day of Gandhi Jayanti  to make health services accessible to remote and far flung villages falling amidst forests, mountains, rivers, forests. So far, more than one lakh camps have been organized in about 2 thousand haat-bazaars and more than 62 lakh people have been treated. Malaria positivity rate in Bastar division has come down from 4.60 percent to 0.21 under Malaria-free Chhattisgarh campaign. In the last four years, there has been a 65 percent reduction in the cases of malaria in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel has started a universal PDS scheme to ensure that everyone gets enough food, under which about 21 lakh Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries have benefited from it. Be it Chief Minister's nutrition campaign or Madhur Gud Yojana, development of Devgudis or increase in honorarium of boatmen, executive,membrins , or declaring a public holiday on World Tribal Day. Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has taken many steps for  the welfare and upliftment of rural populace and tribals as well. It is noteworthy that the first time after the formation of Chhattisgarh state, Mr. Baghel has brought Chhattisgarh's tribal folk art, folk dance and folk culture to the fore by organizing numerous initiatives like National Tribal Dance Festival to promote the rich culture of Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Mr. Baghel has been moving forward with the concept of 'Garhbo Nava Chhattisgarh' in the last four years. Certainly, these schemes have raised the standard of living of the tribals and the trust of the common people towards the Bhupesh government has also increased with the work done towards the inclusive and holistic development of the tribals and the state.