New Delhi, July 29, 2004: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today met Union Agriculture and Rural Development minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and discussed in detail issues related to agriculture and rural development mainly Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana in Naxal affected areas of Chhattisgarh, exemption from the Aadhar-based payment system (ABPS) for Naxal-affected regions under MGNREGA.

During the meeting at Krishi Bhawan here, Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that 15.18 lakh families in Chhattisgarh have not yet received housing approval under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Of these, 6.99 lakh families are on the permanent waiting list and 8.19 lakh families are included in the Awas Plus scheme. He highlighted that the problem persisted due to non-receipt of the state’s share for the scheme in the past five years. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma was also present at the meeting.

He added that the previous government did not release the state share for the scheme and returned the central share without utilising it, depriving the poor families of houses. He also mentioned that no work has been done under the PMGSY in last five years. Chauhan assured the chief minister that the Centre will provide necessary assistance to the state in this regard.

Expressing the need for rehabilitation of surrendered Naxals and affected families in Naxal-affected areas, Sai requested inclusion of 10,500 new eligible families in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and also demanded approval of housing construction to the Panchayats in Naxal-affected areas.

. The chief minister urged for exemption in Aadhaar Based Payment System (ABPS) under MNREGA scheme till March 31, 2025, as there is lack of internet facility and other problems in remote and Naxal-affected areas. He also demanded to allow cash payment in these areas, as banking facilities are not available there. He also requested that in the labour budget 800 mandays should be amended to 2000 mandays.

Highlighting the need to improve road connectivity in tribal areas where many settlements are not connected by all-weather roads, CM Sai demanded inclusion of remaining tribal areas in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and upgradation of old roads.

He informed about the approval process of 106 large bridges under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Nyay Maha Abhiyan and also demanded the construction of 426 remaining bridges for Chhattisgarh. He said that the construction of these bridges under this scheme is important because it will improve the road connectivity of tribal areas and will also help in the Naxalism eradication campaign.

The chief minister also emphasized on increasing the production of millet crops like Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi in Chhattisgarh. He said that increasing the production capacity of these crops is important for the state as they are nutritious and are the main food items in tribal areas. Also, availability of advanced technology and seeds will increase the income of farmers. The union minister assured to take positive steps soon on the agriculture and rural development proposals of Chhattisgarh.

The union minister assured to take positive initiative as soon as possible on various proposals of agriculture and rural development in Chhattisgarh.

Secretary to the Chief Minister from Chhattisgarh P Dayanand, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Mrs. Niharika Barik, Director of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Mr. Rajat Bansal and senior officers of the Central Government were also present in the meeting.