"Just like PM's vision of 'Viksit Bharat' we have dream of Viksit Chhattisgarh": CM Sai

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], February 9 : As Chhattisgarh presented its Budget on Friday, the first after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government was sworn in, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that like 'Viksit Bharat' (developed India), the state government has the dream of 'Viksit Chhattisgarh' (developed Chhattisgarh).
"Just like the vision of our PM Narendra Modi of 'Viksit Bharat' we have our dream of 'Viksit Chhattisgarh'. Just like PM Modi has evisaged India to be one of the top three economies in the world, Chhattisgarh and its people will also be one of its contributors. This Budget has taken care of all sections of society," the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister said in a press conference on Friday after the budget was presented.
Chief Minister Sai said that the government has not left any section from the Budget and has set the wheels of development rolling for the tribal majority state.
"We have not left any section from the Budget. We have set forth the stage of development for Chhattisgarh in this Budget,' he said.
Speaking about some highlights of the newly presented Budget, Sai said that tendu cultivators will now be getting Rs 5500 per unit and the Charan Paduka Yojana will also be restarted for them.
"Tendu is also called green gold. Earlier, tendu cultivators used to get Rs 4000 per unit which has now been increased to Rs 5500 per unit this Budget. We will also be giving them bonus," the Chief Minister said.
"The poor cannot even buy shoes. All of you know that to pluck tendu leaves one has to go into the forest. So we are going to restart the Charan Paduka Yojana," he added.
Sai also mentioned that special allocations have been made for the poor in Sarguja and Bastar districts in the state as these are tribal districs where tendu are found in abundance.
"All of you know that Bastar and Sarguja are tribal districts where tendu leaves are found. This budget has made special allocations for Sarguja and Bastar for the poor," he said.
For those who are landless, the Chief Minister said, "The government will give assistance of Rs 10,000 for those who are landless laborers. There are other allocations for the poor as well."
On employment opportunities for the youth, Sai said, "This budget has also made allocations for youth. We are conducting a CBI investigation into the PSC scam. We are also working for their employment."
The Chief Minister also announced that Rs 10000 has been allocated for the Chhattisgarh Krishak Unnati Scheme under which rice will be procured from farmers at the cost of Rs 31000 per quintal.
"Chhattisgarh is the rice bowl. Most people are dependent on agriculture. We have allocated huge resources for farmers as well. Under the Chhattisgarh Krishak Unnati Scheme, we will be giving them Rs 3100 per quintal of rice when we buy from them. We have allocated Rs 10000 crore for this scheme," he said.
Sai said that free electricity will be given to farmers till 5 Horse power for which Rs 3500 crore has been allocated.
"There have also been allocations for farmers' insurance. We will be giving free electricity to farmers till 5 Horse power. For that, we have allocated Rs 3500 crore for this," he said.
The Chief Minister also announced Rs 12000 annually for married women under the Mahtari Bandhan Yojana.
"We have made allocations for women empowerment. Under Modi's guarantee we will be giving married women Rs 12000 annually under the the Mahtari Bandhan Yojana," he said.