MEMBER of Parliament Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel jointly inaugurated the ‘Chhattisgarh Gramin Awas NYAY Yojana’ during the ‘Awas Nyay Sammelan’ held at the village of Parsada (Sakri) in the Takhatpur development block of Bilaspur district. The Gramin Awas NYAY Yojana, which is being rolled out in phases, is set to benefit 47,090 families in the State in its first phase alone. In the coming years, a staggering 10,76,000 individuals are expected to benefit from this programme. The Chhattisgarh Government has taken a commendable step by approving housing for the remaining 6,99,439 eligible families on the permanent waiting list of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural). During the inauguration ceremony, MP Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel provided financial support to 500 beneficiaries of the ‘Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramik Awas Sahayata Yojana’, amounting to a total of Rs 5 crore, with each beneficiary receiving Rs 1 lakh.

 

The event was not limited to announcements; it witnessed the official inauguration and ground-breaking ceremony for 414 development and construction projects valued at Rs 669.69 crore in the Bilaspur district. Furthermore, 2,594 selected teachers received their appointment letters, and 1,117 beneficiaries in urban areas were granted forest rights certificates. Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also visited various stalls set up at the venue, where they interacted with scheme beneficiaries and distributed house approval orders, assistance cheques, tricycles, and more. They also inaugurated the Ganiyari-Nagoi Garment Factory, run by a self-help group. In his address, Chief Minister Baghel assured that the remaining installments of the financial assistance would be provided on time. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in his address, highlighted the historical context of housing schemes in India. He mentioned that the ‘Indira Awas Yojana’, initially launched in 1985 by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, was later renamed as the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’. Baghel echoed Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen has access to healthcare and housing as a fundamental right. He highlighted the significant contributions of leaders like Rahul Gandhi and expressed the government’s commitment to supporting the underprivileged.

 

MP Rahul Gandhi, in his speech, expressed delight at being in Bilaspur and emphasised the government’s efforts to fulfill its election promises, including reducing electricity bills, ensuring fair paddy prices, and more. He outlined key achievements, such as subsidies for farmers under the Kisan NYAY Yojana, financial assistance for landless farmers, and improved healthcare coverage. Rahul Gandhi commended the State’s progress towards comprehensive development and women’s empowerment under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He noted that women in the State have experienced a rise in respect and honour while gaining self-confidence. Gandhi underscored the significance of the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Industrial Park, a programme aimed at providing livelihood opportunities for women residing in rural areas. Through this initiative, numerous women from various self-help groups have found employment, contributing to their economic independence. Gandhi also voiced concerns about what he perceived as efforts to benefit a few corporations, including Adani, across various sectors such as defense, airports, and agriculture. He recalled his own experience of having his Lok Sabha membership revoked for raising questions on such matters.

 

Gandhi mentioned about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s frequent discussions about the OBC category, but noted that the Congress Party had conducted a caste census covering all sections of Indian society. While the data remains with the government, Gandhi expressed his disappointment that it has not been made public. He pointed out that only a handful of individuals from the OBC community hold positions in Central Government. Gandhi also stressed the importance of conducting a caste census to promote inclusivity and the participation of all sections of society. The function was also addressed by Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdeo, Women and Child Development Minister Anila Bhediya and Panchayat Minister Ravindra Choubey. Dignitaries including State Incharge Kumari Shelja, MLA Shailesh Pandey, Minister of Home Tamradhwaj Sahu, Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly Dr Charandas Mahant, MLA Rashmi Singh, District Presidents Vijay Pandey and Vijay Kesharwani, Mayor Ramsaran Yadav besides large number of party leaders and villagers were present on the occasion.