Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel in an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat said that the 'Narwa-Garuwa-Ghurwa-Badi' model is a step towards the upliftment of the state's economy.
Baghel, who has been honoured by the British Parliament for his decision to return the land of farmers acquired in tribal Bastar region for the Tata Steel’s proposed mega steel plant project, explained the features of the model.
Q- How are you planning to carry forward your Narwa-Garuwa-Ghurwa-Badi scheme?
A- Our party came up with the slogan before elections which is simply being executed now. The government's flagship scheme Narwa, Garuwa, Ghurwa and Badi aims at strengthening the rural economy and will prove to be a milestone in rural development
Narwa (Meaning: Canals)
The canals will be renewed to improve quality water for drinking and the water will be reused in fields by farmers for better crop production and to prevent water wastage.
Garwa (Meaning: cattles)
To protect the cattles, better feed, shed and water is needed, which is promised under this model.
Ghurwa (Meaning: Cow dung)
Cow dung will be collected to produce bio gas and manure. So as to provide low-cost manure to the farmers.
Badi (Meaning: Plantation)
All the above mentioned steps will improve the quality of crop produced all over the state.
By taking these measures we can improve quality of crop, cattle produces and farmer wages altogether.
Q- Do you have any plans to carry this scheme forward to the cities of the state?
A- It is Mahatma Gandhi's 150th anniversary, this year belongs to him. Since majority of the nation lives in villages, we are starting from the grassroot level. We are working on improving the quality of life in villages first. Very soon we will take such steps in cities also.
Q- Education quality has improved but when it comes to employment, youth still has to move out of the state. What plans do you have to tackle this problem?
A- We are already working to improve the IT sector which will open employment opportunities for the youth. We have good air connectivity just like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune. Making use of it we can generate jobs. Opportunity for government jobs will be given. We are appointing 15,000 professors and almost 1,400 assistant professors.
Q- What steps are you going to take to change the Naxalite image of the state?
A- A bullet for a bullet is not the right kind of approach for this problem. During the rule of previous government Naxalism spread from 3 to 14 districts. We will interact with the common people of each region and then reach a solid ground to tackle this situation.
Q- Bastar has shown full fledged support to your party. What is your plan to improve conditions in Bastar?
A- We took back the land that was acquired by TATA and returned it to the tribal farmers. This achievement is praised not only nationally, but internationally. We are also currently discussing the Forest Rights Act. It is a matter of earning people's trust.
Q- What are the challenges you are facing in accordance with alcohol ban?
A- It is a challenge faced by the whole society which cannot be tackled by the government alone. Only with the complete cooperation of the society this can be achieved.
Q- Opposition claims that you have turned Chhattisgarh into Tabadlapur.
A- Transfers has been happening since forever. They happened during previous government's rule also. Earlier only CM and Super CM would take such decisions, but now we also take our winning MLA's suggestions into consideration while making these decisions. Transfers happen when governments change, it is not an issue. We are doing what Raman Singh could not do, which is why he makes such comments.
Q- After all the work that has been done in last 60 days, where do you see yourself standing now in terms of progress?
A- The issues that we mentioned in our manifesto, the promises that we made to the public, we have successfully fulfilled it all. We are working on economy, employment, farmer's rights, better prices for their crops, weekly offs for policemen, we formed press safety committee, and a committee for people jailed in the naxal affected regions.
Q- What is your game plan for upcoming general elections?
A- Recently we won over BJP with big numbers. Undoubtedly, in general elections also similar results will come out.
Q- Did you discuss your winning gameplan with the party president?
A- Rahul Gandhi has been paying attention to Chhattisgarh throughout. Whenever it was required he took out time and came. Here the fight was fought by our party workers. It was public versus the government. Which is why we won.
"Our definition of development is uplifting the villagers, farmers and workers and not devastating tribal lands in the name of erecting buildings, bridges and concrete-jungle," Baghel had said in his reply to the discussion on the Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2019.
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