About six months ahead of the Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh started a Vikas Yatra to apprise the people of the decision that his government took during the last four and a half years. The Yatra was kicked off by veteran BJP leader Shri LK Advani in Dantewada on May 6. The 6100 kim long six-phased Yatra will cover 81 of the 90 Assembly constituencies during one-and-a-half-month span. It will conclude on June 20.
Prior to flagging off the Yatra Shri Advani offered prayers at legendary Danteshwari temple. Addressing a public meeting in Dantewada, 380 km south of Raipur, which is known as a Maoist stronghold for about three decades, Shri LK Advani said he was very happy to see that Chhattisgarh was taking rapid strides on the path of development under the leadership of Raman Singh. Recalling his role in the creation of Chhattisgarh as the union home minister in Atal Bihai Vajpayee government which facilitated the creation of the new state on Nov 1, 2000, he said the pious land of Chhattisgarh is unforgettable for him.
He said, “During the last decade, under the dynamic leadership of Raman Singh, Chhattisgarh government has started a number of welfare schemes for the betterment of common man specially Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the poorest of the poor section of the society.” The objective of the yatra is to apprise the people about welfare initiatives being implemented by the BJP government.
Dr Raman Singh, who has been heading the government in the mineral-rich state since December 2003, said besides taking the achievements of last 9 years to masses, observing how government's initiatives/decisions impact the life of people would be the focus of this yatra. Providing food security to 42 lakh families, health care of up to Rs 30,000 to 52 lakh families, tendu leaf encouragement/wage amount to tribal people, paddy bonus to farmers, solar study lamp to school students, solar lanterns for poor families, tablet devices to 80,000 school students, laptops for engineering/ medical students were some of the decisions showing the commitment of the state government towards upliftment of poor sections, he said.
(FOC)
