Land to be reserved for artisans in the areas with higher population of ‘Kumbhkar’ (artisan) community: CM Bhupesh Baghel

Raipur:
Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday made several important announcements while
addressing the delegation of OBC community at his residence office. He said
that ‘Kumbhkar’ (artisans/potters) need good quality clay for making utensils
and artifacts. This is why we have decided to reserve land for artisans in the
areas with a higher population of Kumbhkar samaj (artisan/potters community).

Baghel
also announced that a training center will be opened in Jagdalpur, district
headquarters, Bastar Division to provide training in traditional crafts and
skills to the youth of Kumbhkar samaj.

On
the request of the OBC Community, chief minister assured to include the proposal of
opening hostels at district and block headquarter-level in the upcoming budget.
He said that the suggestion of reserving 10 per cent seats for OBC students in
the presently operated hostel-ashrams in Bastar Division would be considered in
the cabinet. He said that for the convenience of the students coming from far
and wide, hostels will be opened in the places where Swami Atmanand English
Medium Schools have been started in the Bastar region.

Baghel
said that the eligible people of Other Backward Classes, who have not yet
received the Forest Rights Recognition letter, should apply in the prescribed
format to the SDM office. Forest Rights Recognition letters will also be
provided to such people. He has asked the community heads to submit a
district-wise list of the applicants. Chief Minister said that 1053 people of
OBC communities have been provided Forest Rights Recognition Letters in the Bastar region,
and the remaining will also be provided Forest Rights Recognition Letters soon.

While
speaking with the delegation, chief minister informed them about the state
government’s future plan to generate electricity from cow dung and to prepare
ethanol from paddy. He said that the state government is seriously considering
the plan to generate electricity from cow dung. Its technology and benefits are
being studied. He said that this step would further increase the income of
women preparing vermi compost.

He
said that the state government is still waiting for the central government to give
permission for the production of ethanol from paddy. The state government has made all
the preparations to start the production of ethanol from paddy. MoUs have also been
signed with 6 industries to set up ethanol plants in the state. Indian Oil
Corporation has also signed an MoU with the state government. An ethanol plant
will consume about five lakh metric tonnes of paddy in a year. Ethanol plants
will also generate employment opportunities. This will also help farmers to get a fair value of their produce.

Chief
Minister informed the delegation in detail about various schemes of state
government including Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Godhan Nyay Yojana, Rajiv
Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana. He also took their
feedback on the welfare schemes of the state government. He requested them to come
forward to take maximum benefit of education, health, and employment-related
schemes.