Chief Minister Mr. Baghel met Prime Minister Mr. Modi, and informs about the abundant millet production in the state
Mr. Baghel underlines the issue related to GST compensation amount pendency and coal royalty dues with the Centre
CM Mr.Baghel requests to direct SECL to enter into a contract with the state nodal agency at the earliest for an uninterrupted supply of coal
CM Mr.Baghel informs about the inconvenience faced by Chhattisgarh people during the train cancellation
CM Mr.Baghel requests train passing through Chhattisgarh should not be canceled without adequate and proper alternative arrangements
Raipur 31 December 2022//
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Mr.Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday called on Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi and discussed several state issues and reiterated the release of pending funds related to GST, Coal blocks. He also apprised him about the progress being made in Chhattisgarh’s agriculture sector and other sectors. Discussing the Millets Mission being run in the state, the Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is producing millets in abundance. Praising the Millet Mission, Prime Minister Mr.Modi suggested that ‘Millet Cafe’ should be started in the capital Raipur. During this, Mr. Baghel also underlined the pendency of the revenue amounts yet to be received from the Center and requested for early release. Mr. Baghel also requested to provide assistance from the Center to improve various civic amenities in the state.
In the nearly 60 min-long meeting held at Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, Mr.Baghel informed him that Chhattisgarh is producing millets in abundance. The support price of Kodo Kutki has been declared as Rs 3000 per quintal. He informed the Prime Minister that the country’s first millet bank has been started in Chhattisgarh and 22 types of millet are produced here. Appreciating the Millet Mission, the Prime Minister suggested to start ‘Millet Cafe’ in Raipur.
Mr. Baghel also underlined the issues related to GST and said that like other producing states, Chhattisgarh is also facing a shortfall in commercial tax revenue after GST implementation. From the date of implementation of GST till June 30, 2022, an amount of Rs 1375 crore is yet to be received from the Centre to the state as GST compensation. He requested to release the pendency amount to the state as early as possible.
Mr. Baghel said that the recovery of additional levy from the coal blocks canceled by the Supreme Court in 2014 has been received by the Central Government. The State Government has requested the Central Government several times to transfer the dues amount of Rs 4170 crores recovered from the coal blocks of Chhattisgarh to the state government, but the amount is not received yet. He requested the Prime Minister that the due amount should be transferred to the State at the earliest as possible.
Mr. Baghel said that the sponge iron and steel industries operating in the state of Chhattisgarh are facing problems related to fuel requirements. There has been a continuous issue in the supply of coal from South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) over the last 06 months. Due to this reason, these industries are facing difficulties in their proper operation. He requested the Prime Minister to instruct SECL to make an early contract with the state nodal agency and coal allocation for the supply of coal to the state’s industries.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel expressed his concern over the cancellation of several trains and said that the Howrah-Mumbai train route is a lifeline for Chhattisgarh, but this year the operation of a large number of passenger trains has been canceled by the Railways many times. No alternative arrangements were made in this regard. Middle and lower-class people have to face a lot of inconvenience due to the cancellation of trains and their employment as well as businesses have also been affected a lot. Traveling by train is the only easy and convenient way for people to travel during the winter season. He requested the Prime Minister considering all these things especially the people’s convenience, please order the concerned officials not to cancel trains in the state in the future without adequate and proper alternative arrangements.
