Chhattisgarh polls 2023: Cong promises to waive farmers' loans, buy paddy at Rs 3200 per qtl

Seeking to take the win out of BJP's poll promises, the Congress has pledged loan waiver to farmers and Rs 3,200 for per quintal for paddy procurement in Chhattisgarh. The ruling party unveiled its manifesto titled 'Bharose ka Ghoshna Patra 2023-28' at six different places - Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Kawardha - two days before the first phase of the state polls.

With eyes on the sizeable number of farmers, the Congress also promised Procurement of paddy at 20 quintal per acre. Speaking at the launch of the manifesto, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said farmers will also get input subsidy currently being given under the Rajiv Gandhi Nyay Yojna to paddy cultivators.

Earlier, the state government used to procure 15 quintals of paddy per acre and from this year it has started purchasing 20 quintals of paddy per acre. Tendu leaf collection will be done at Rs 6,000 per standard sack in place of the existing Rs 4,000 and tendu leaf collectors will additionally get an annual bonus of Rs 4,000, the chief minister said.

"Like last time, farm loans will be waived. As soon as the Congress government was formed in 2018, we waived the loans worth Rs 9,272 crore of 18.5 lakh farmers. Loans of Self Help Groups and women availed under the Saksham Yojna will also be waived," the CM said. Besides, tivara (a type of lentil) will be purchased from farmers at support price.

The Congress also promised caste census so that social justice can be ensured and subsidised cooking gas cylinders to women under a new scheme. While Baghel released the manifesto in Rajnandgaon, party's state in-charge Kumari Selja and Deputy Chief Minister TS Singh Deo unveiled it in state capital Raipur and Ambikapur, respectively.

Promises including free education to students from KG (kindergarten) to PG (post-graduation) made by Congress leaders during their poll campaign have been mentioned in the manifesto. Wood used in funeral pyres will be arranged by the state government in urban areas, the CM said.

"A Mahtari Nyay Yojana will be launched for women under which a subsidy of Rs 500 per cooking gas cylinder will be given to women of all income groups. The subsidy will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of women. Schemes which are currently operational will continue if the Congress retains power in the state," Baghel said.

Houses will be provided to 17.5 lakh poor families, while financial assistance given under Rajiv Gandhi Bhoomihin Kisan Nyay Yojna will be increased from Rs 7,000 per year to Rs 10,000 per year, he added.

Under the Dr Khubchand Baghel Health Assistance Scheme, the poor will get free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh in place of the current Rs 5 lakh, and those in the APL category will get up to Rs 5 lakh in place of the existing Rs 50,000, he said.