RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has admitted that the state government may have faulted on implementing the Right to Education Act (2009), which provides education to students aged 6 to 14, without needing to appear for exams till class 8. But with the launch of APJ Abdul Kalam Quality Education Mission, he expects all the gaps in providing quality education to get fulfilled.
In the third program of his radio series Raman Ki Goth, where he interacts live with the people of Chhattisgarh, a caller reinforced the need to overhaul the education system of the state. Dr. Raman assured that Chhattisgarh's future is secure, and the government shall do all it takes to ensure that the children have a great future at the state and national levels.
Dr Singh also expressed deep lament on the death of 5 students who were part of a school excursion trip of the Government Middle School of Village Rajkatti, District Gariyaband. 73 students were put in tractor trolleys and taken on the trip. Dr. Singh put forth a strong warning for the teachers and school authorities, and a word of caution for everyone in the state to not repeat this act.
Extending his sympathies to the families of the late children, the Chief Minister confirmed that stern action has been taken against the accused, and a complaint has also been filed.
Talking of the 110 draught hit tehsils in the state, Dr. Singh assured that immediate redressals have been determined and are being put into force. The Centre had also been urged to give an immediate help of Rs 4000 crores. He also mentioned that seeds worth Rs 200-300 crores shall be provided to the farmers, in addition to 9000 units of free of cost electricity.
He said Rs 30000 worth of electricity is being provided free of cost to each farmer, to a total of 4 lakh farmers. Also, the MNREGA benefits have been extended to a total of 150 days instead of the earlier 100 days.
Dr. Singh also talked about the purchase of paddy, and said every grain of paddy shall be purchased by the government at minimum support prices. The process of buying shall start from Nov 16 till Jan 31. The purchase shall be facilitated by 1976 kendras of the Co-Operative Samitis. A total of 13.23 lakhs of registered farmers are expected to benefit from this scheme.
He appealed to the farmers for carrying clean and dry paddy to the purchase centres. The Minimum Support Price for common paddy is fixed at Rs 1,410 per quintal and for Grade-A paddy at Rs 1,450 per quintal. The payment shall be paid online to the farmers.