Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday said that it has been nearly two years since the state’s security forces have been engaged in a decisive battle against Naxal insurgents with determination and that the Naxal movement is nearing its end and is counting its last breaths. Addressing the media Sai emphasised that State is benefitting from the strong coordination and leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party Government at the Centre.

 

He expressed confidence that the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to completely eradicate Naxalism will soon be realised. Referring to the electricity relief initiative, the Chief Minister informed that extensive discussions were held on Tuesday in the old Assembly building, which stood for 25 years as a symbol of the people’s faith and aspirations. During the session, a decision that the limit under the ‘Half Electricity Bill’ scheme has been increased from 100 units to 200 units.

 

Sai said that the revised policy will provide substantial relief to a large section of consumers. Those who do not fall under this scheme will be benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Muft Yojana. Under the programme, the Government of India will provide a subsidy of 30,000 per kilowatt, while the state government will contribute 15,000. Consequently, consumers will receive nearly three-fourths of the total installation cost as subsidy. The remaining amount will have to be borne by the beneficiaries, and the associated loan will be repaid within a few years.

 

Thereafter, beneficiaries will be able to use electricity free of cost and even sell the surplus power generated. On the release of the 21st installment of the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Chief Minister Sai described the day as auspicious for farmers across Chhattisgarh and the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, from Coimbatore, transferred 18,000 crore directly into the bank accounts of nine crore farmers across India under the scheme. In Chhattisgarh, 24.7 lakh farmers received 494 crore.

 

Extending his felicitations to all beneficiary farmers, Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for their continued commitment to farmers’ welfare.