Honor and Respect for women defines our culture and civilization, says CM Bhupesh Baghel
Raipur: “Respect and honour for women is what defines our culture and civilization. Cultured society is the one that respects women. In Chhattisgarh, we are living up to our cultural value of honouring women and giving them the respect they deserve. This is the reason why women and daughters in the state are pursuing greater goals with confidence and determination”, said chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.
He was addressing people of the state on the topic‘Chhattisgarh Sarkar- Naari Shakti Ke Sarokaar’in the 27th episode of radio programme ‘Lokvaani’ aired today
He added that we consider the formation of Chhattisgarh state a historic event. Our forefathers had a wholesome vision for this state. For centuries, Chhattisgarh has been a folk state. People of this state are known for their traditions, festivals, vibrant colourful culture, love for nature, simplicity and love for motherland. Fortunately, we got the opportunity to select an appropriate state song that beautifully describes these qualities of the state and people here. ‘Arpa Pairi Ke Dhaar, Mahanadi He Apaar, Indravato Ha Pakharay Tor Paiya’ written by Acharya Dr Narendra Dev Verma is the perfect tribute to Chhattisgarh Mahatari and it perfectly describes the devotion with which we want to serve Chhattisgarh state.
Baghel said that because of our forefathers we have got a constitution that gives equal rights to women. Percentage of women members in Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly is higher than any other Legislative Assembly in the country. There is a provision of 50% reservation in the elections of Panchayati Raj institutions. Women here have equal legal rights to own and control land, property and assets.
Chief Minister said that we have made several policy arrangements in the interest of women, which includes rights on immovable property. As a result of the provision of 1 per cent exemption on stamp duty on registry of immovable property in the name of women, more than 50,000 registries have been done in a year and exemption of more than Rs 37 crore has been provided. Facility of 30 percent reservation for recruitment on government posts has also been provided to women. In women’s hostels and ashrams, 2 thousand 200 new posts of women’s home guards have been created. Women help desks are being operated in 370 police stations of the state. Women’s helpline 181 is being operated, by calling on which any women from any corner of the state can seek help in case of any problem.
Baghel said that we are planning to constitute a women’s security cell in every district to ensure a safe and secure environment for every women and girl in the state. Under the District Mineral Trust Fund Board, fifty percent of the Gram Sabha members are women. New girls colleges have been opened in 9 districts, in our bid to ensure at least one girls college in each district. As a result of these efforts, the number of girls in government colleges has significantly increased, almost 1.5 times of the number of boys. These unprecedented efforts of Chhattisgarh have also been appreciated by NITI Aayog and Chhattisgarh has been ranked first for gender equality in the India-Index report for the year 2020-21.
Baghel said that daughters in Chhattisgarh have the choice on how they want to be associated with government schemes. Everyone’s needs vary according to the circumstances of their family. For daughter who want to become self-employed by joining women self-help groups through Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission, we have Bihaan scheme. Under Bihaan, nearly 22 lakh 14 thousand 426 women have joined 2 lakh 6 thousand 362 groups so far. Women and Child Development Department also conducts employment oriented activities through the formation of women self-help groups. In our new industrial policy 2019-2024, women self-help groups, agricultural producer groups have been given special eligibility for industrial investment promotion. Mr. Baghel said that we have formed 540 producer groups in 10 districts, through which 18 thousand 598 women farmers have been connected. In three years, 478 food processing units have been established in the state, in which a capital investment of Rs. 1167 crores has been received and more than 6 thousand people have got employment. Similarly, 52 units have been set up for processing minor forest produce. We have increased the number of forest produce purchased on support price from 7 to 65.
He said that 171 Swami Atmanand English Medium Schools opened in the state are giving competition to the best private schools in terms of quality of education. Under this scheme, Hindi medium schools will also be opened from the new academic session. Chhattisgarh state has a facility of free education for girls up to post-graduation. Besides, 30 percent posts are reserved for girls in government jobs. Qualifications have been relaxed for District Cadre in Scheduled Areas. Now we have constituted a Junior Services Selection Board, which is ensuring the recruitment of local people in 14 districts.
In today’s episode of Lokvaani, Baghel also spoke to Saraswati of village Belgahna-Bilaspur, Vidya Markande Tuta-Raipur, Purnima Vishwakarma Bodla-Kabeerdham, Safia-Sarguja, Shailendri Verma-Durg, Riya Sidar- Raigarh, Sushila-Sukma and mountaineer from Raigarh Yashi Jain, Thai Boxing Gold Medalist Tekeshwari Sahu, Dantewada’s Dannex employee Manisha Devangan. During the conversation, he said that ‘Nava Chhattisgarh’ will be built with the success stories of our daughters. I promise that we will continue to make efforts towards creating new facilities and opportunities. The daughters of Chhattisgarh are now pursuing greater goals and no one can stop them from moving forward. From education to employment, from villages to cities, from government jobs to self-employment, everywhere we have opened the way for the progress of daughters.
