Chhattisgarh CM urges PM Modi to conduct census at the earliest

Dispatch NewsMarch 11, 2023

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Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday evening. During the meeting, he had a discussion with the Prime Minister on various pending demands including conducting a census at the earliest, GST compensation, and coal royalty.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister mentioned the Holi festival organized at CM House in Raipur and said “we saw you singing ‘phag’ song on Holi.

Baghel informed that he has urged the Prime Minister to get the census done soon. He also said that there is a problem in the selection of beneficiaries due to non conduct of a census after 2011 so a census should be conducted at the earliest. Many eligible beneficiaries are being deprived of the benefits of the schemes. Baghel had also written a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard in the past.

Chief minister Baghel also highlighted the issue of GST compensation before the Prime Minister in the meeting. He said that Chhattisgarh,being a producing state, is facing a shortfall in commercial tax revenue . An amount of 1375 crores of GST compensation is pending with the Central Government from June 22 till now, which should be provided soon.

Apart from this, the chief minister has also requested the Prime Minister for early payment of Rs 4,170 crore as royalty received from coal blocks as additional levy. HE said that he has also sought cooperation from the Prime Minister for the light metro service to be commenced from Nava Raipur to Durg.

Baghel also informed that the fourth permanent finance working group meeting of G-20 is going to be held in Chhattisgarh in the month of September. An extensive discussion was held with the Prime Minister regarding its preparation. He further said that guidance has also been received from the Prime Minister regarding the G20 meeting to be conducted in Chhattisgarh. Mr. Baghel said that “I have assured the Prime Minister for world class arrangements for the guests of G-20 in Chhattisgarh.”

The Chief Minister also informed that the Prime Minister had suggested starting Millet Cafe in Raipur while discussing the Millet Mission in the prior meeting. He informed the Prime Minister that following this suggestion, millet cafes have been started in Raipur and other cities of Chhattisgarh.