In the second episode of his monthly radio programme -’Lokvaani’ aired on the occasion of International Literacy Day today, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel appealed to the people for contributing in attainment of the goal of 100 percent literacy in Chhattisgarh.

 

 

The Chief Minister said under Chief Minister Urban Functional Literacy Programme, digital literacy would be promoted among people of age group 14 to 60 years. It is a major step towards empowerment of citizens. Chief Minister offered salutations to the teachers and said that teachers play an important role in building the future of new generation. He said that under Right to Education, education up to 12th standard has been made free.

 

 

Talking about the decision to provide reservation of 27% to OBC, 13% Scheduled Castes, 32% to Scheduled Tribes and 10% to economically weak families, Baghel said that 82% reservation in Chhattisgarh will prove to be an important step towards social justice. The Chief Minister said the process of regular recruitment of teachers has been started in the state nearly 1500 professors are being recruited in colleges. He said that encouraging and promoting entrepreneurship among youth is our top-priority.

 

 

Chief Minister stated that as 2011 census, 70.28% of the population was literate, out of which 80.27% were male and 60.27% were female. Evaluation of literacy rate is done in every 10 years, which means new data would be available after census of year 2021. But according to an estimate, despite the efforts made between year 2011 and 2018, nearly one-fourth of the population in state is still illiterate. If there is any lack of awareness about malnutrition, IMR, MMR, diseases etc, illiteracy is one of the major reasons behind it.

 

 

Chief Minister extended hearty wishes of World Literacy Day to people of the state and said that it is our responsibility to make one-fourth of the population literate. Chhattisgarh state was also affected as the implementation of National Campaign of ‘Literate India’ was stopped. Now we have to make collective efforts to figure out the way to make remaining one-fourth of the population literate. Chief Minister appealed for public participation in attainment of this goal.

 

 

The Chief Minister said reservation has been provided in proportion to the population i.e., 32% reservation has been provisioned for Scheduled Tribes, 13% reservation for Scheduled Caste, 27% for OBC and 10% reservation for economically weak families of general category. It is a decision made in the direction of establishing social justice. Chief Minister thanked all the communities for support State Government’s decisions for ensuring social justice to the socially and economically weaker sections of the society.

 

 

The Chief Minister said after formation of our government, we provided transfer facility to Shikshakarmis. There are 1.45 lakh Shikshakarmis, out of which mergence of 1.25 lakh has already been done. Regularization of remaining would be done after they complete eight years of services. This would also solve the problem of salary discrepancies. Other minor problems would also be solved with time. As far as recruitment of 15 thousand teachers is concerned, there is no problem there. Examinations have already been held and soon after results are declared, further action would be taken.

 

 

The Chief Minister said for the first time in state, ‘Digi Duniya’ prgramme was started, under which ‘e-classrooms’ and e-labs are being established in all 4330 high schools and higher-secondary schools of Chhattisgarh. In this way, we have facilitated the modern IT-based education system. Through ‘Deeksha’ app, all the textbooks would be made available as ‘e-books’. Besides, the content would be made available in 6 dialects and languages, so that children may study even without access to internet. Many such initiatives are being taken to improve school education.

 

 

The Chief Minister said that State Government is ready to open two dozens of colleges in the state, which includes seven model degree colleges in Naxal-affected and extremely backward areas. He added that sports authority would be constituted in the state, under which institutions such as sports school, sports academy and others will be operated in the state.