Raipur, Aug 12 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday said his government was committed to the welfare and economic empowerment of farmers and has taken several measures to strengthen the agriculture sector.
Addressing a Hareli festival celebration at his official residence in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, Sai said the agrarian festival reflects Chhattisgarh’s deep bond with agriculture, nature and rural life.
Hareli, one of the major traditional festivals of Chhattisgarh, is celebrated on the new moon day (amavasya) of the month of Savan.
Sai said the Centre and the state government have taken several important steps to strengthen farmers economically.
The Kisan Credit Card scheme, launched during the tenure of former prime minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee, opened the way for farmers to access agricultural credit easily, he said.
After the formation of Chhattisgarh, the government led by former chief minister Raman Singh gradually reduced interest rates on cooperative agricultural loans, eventually bringing them down to zero, Sai said.
“Today, farmers have been getting agricultural loans from cooperative banks at zero per cent interest,” he said.
The government has been continuously working to simplify crop insurance, expand irrigation facilities and take modern agricultural technology to farmers, Sai said.
He said the state government has been procuring paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal for up to 21 quintals per acre, directly benefiting lakhs of farming families.
Extending greetings to the people, particularly farmers, on Hareli, Sai said the festival is an expression of Chhattisgarh’s agricultural culture and the close relationship between nature and rural life.
Hareli gives us an opportunity to express gratitude towards our land, livestock, agricultural implements and nature, he said.
Chhattisgarh is known as the “rice bowl” of India and a large section of its population depends on agriculture for livelihood, Sai said, adding that the prosperity of farmers was the foundation for the prosperity of villages and the state.
The CM also highlighted the role of technology in creating new opportunities for women in agriculture, and said “Drone Didis” were emerging as an inspiring link between modern farming and women’s empowerment.
The CM’s residence was decorated with neem and mango leaves, marigold flowers and traditional rural ornaments for the occasion, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Chhattisgarh’s villages and fairs, an official statement said.
Traditional games such as gedi, billas, goti and bati were among the attractions at the celebration. Sai appeared in traditional Chhattisgarhi attire and, along with state Assembly Speaker Raman Singh, travelled to the venue in a pink auto-rickshaw being driven by woman driver Sangeeta Yadav, it said.
Amid the beats of mandar, dholak and other traditional musical instruments, folk artists performed Chhattisgarhi songs and dances. Sai joined the artists and danced to traditional folk tunes, the statement said.
Stalls serving traditional Chhattisgarhi delicacies, including thethri, khurmi and bara, were also set up at the venue, it said. PTI TKP NP
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