Scheme sees 59 per cent increase in beneficiaries in the last year

TNINS 

Chhattisgarh Government's ambitious "Godhan Nyay Yojana" is becoming increasingly popular in the state, and there is a growing connection among rural communities due to the purchase of cow dung under this scheme at Rs. 2 per kg, providing better opportunities for employment and income in the villages. This has also given a boost to animal husbandry in rural areas. A new environment has been created for the conservation and development of livestock in the state. Currently, more than 3.28 lakh rural farmers are directly benefiting from the purchase of cow dung in the Gauthans. In the last year, the number of cattle rearers and rural farmers benefiting from this scheme has increased from 2.06 lakh to over 3.28 lakh with an increase of 59 per cent in the number of beneficiaries.

Under the 'Garuva' programme of the Suraji Gaon Yojana in the state, the construction of Gauthans in villages for the conservation and preservation of cattle is being rapidly carried out. So far, approval for the construction of Gauthans has been given in 10,732 villages in the state, of which 9,720 Gauthans have been constructed and 825 are under construction. The construction work of 187 Gauthans is yet to be started. The Gauthans thus constructed are being managed by the Gauthan committees, where arrangements for the care, treatment, and fodder and water for cattle are made.

It is worth mentioning that the Godhan Nyaya Yojana was started in the state on July 20, 2020, on the auspicious occasion of the Hareli festival. Under this scheme, till February 15, 2023, over 105.53 lakh quintal cow dung has been purchased in Gauthans, in lieu of which Rs 211.25 crore has been paid to the cow dung sellers.