Raipur: Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday felicitated three self-supporting Gauthans of the state for their excellent work and conducting economic activities efficiently, in the state-level function organized at Police Parade Ground in Raipur on the occasion of Independence Day.
An incentive amount of Rs 50,000 each, a memento, and a citation were presented to these three gauthans including Kesara Gauthan in Patan block of Durg district, Chataud Gauthan in Arang block of Raipur district, and Donde, Harangarh Gauthan in Koyalibeda of Kanker district. President of Gauthan committees of these three gauthans including Kanak Soni, Tilak Verma, and Vishnu Sahu were feted on behalf of their respective Gauthans.
Besides, a total of four officers were also feted for their outstanding work in the operation, implementation, and coordination of the scheme in the State Level Godhan Nyay Cell set up under Suraji Goan Yojana. The officials include Joint Director of Agriculture Department Ramlakhan Khare, OSD Dr. Mausam Mehra, Assistant Director Chandan Rai, and Senior Advisor of CHiPS Nilesh Soni.
In Kesara Gauthan, 1700 quintals of vermi compost was sold and produced by the women self-help groups using 4900 quintals of cow dung purchased from the catlle rearers. Besides, income generating activities including poultry, fish and goat farming, kitchen gardening and oil extraction are being conducted in the gauthan. They have generated an income of more than Rs 12 lakh so far. Kesara Gauthan Samiti has given shelter to more than 100 abandoned cattle in a year.
Similarly, over 5500 quintals of cow dung have been purchased from the cattle rearers by Chataud Gauthan Committee and 2200 quintals of vermicompost have been produced and sold. Women of Sita Mahila Sangathan indulged in various income-generating activities including poultry, fish and goat farming, kitchen gardening, making papad, pickles, and washing powder. They are also preparing organic pesticides using the procured ‘gaumutra’. The Gauthan Samiti has earned an income of about Rs 12 lakh so far. Apart from this, an additional income of Rs 03 lakh 60 thousand has also been earned by selling earthworms.
In Donde, Harangarh Gauthan, 2900 quintals of compost has been produced by purchasing 6200 quintals of cow dung from the cattle rearers. The women of self-help groups here have earned more than Rs.6 lakh 48 thousand by conducting income-oriented activities like fish farming, kitchen gardening, mushroom production, and making beautiful earthen lamps. The work of selling vermicompost and purchasing of cow dung is ongoing in the Gauthan.
