New Delhi: Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel today paid courtesy call on Congress president Sonia Gandhi, alongwith this he met eminent union leaders like Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman , Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his New Delhi tour.
CM Baghel invited Sonia Gandhi for inaugural programme of Rajyotsav event to be organized on Chhattisgarh State Foundation Day. Sonia Gandhi gladly accepted the invitation and agreed to attend Rajyotsav event.
Meanwhile, Baghel drew attention of Union Minister Nirmala Sitaraman towards the important finance-related issues concerning Chhattisgarh state. Baghel requested for compensation for the reduction of state's share Central taxes. Chief Minister informed that as per the central interim budget, Chhattisgarh state was entitled to receive Rs 26,014 crore, but this year the state's share has been reduced by Rs 1690 crore. He requested for compensation of the reduction done in the state's share, in the upcoming supplementary budget. Mr. Baghel also requested to continue GST compensation grant even after year 2021-22 for next five years.
In the meeting with Union Road Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari Chief Minister requested him to ensure speedy completion of various sanctioned and under-constructed National Highways in Chhattisgarh. Baghel attracted Union Minister's attention towards the under-constructed Bilaspur-Patrapali bridge, in response to which Gadkari announced that the construction work of this bridge would be resumed soon utilizing emergency provision. On the occasion, Gadkari said that construction works of highways will be examined at national level. Team of officials will visit various construction sites for inspection. Gadkari assured that the pending construction works will be completed soon. Meanwhile, Baghel gave organic rice of Chhattisigarh to Union Minister as gift.
Baghel also handed over an action plan today to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda for various development works in tribal sector to the Union Minister. Arjun Munda assured Baghel of getting funds sanctioned for the development works. Chief Minister has demanded Rs 2444 crore for overall development of scheduled tribe, and upgrading of their income and living standard. This includes agriculture and biotechnology related works, construction and maintenance of aanganbadi buildings under Women and Child Development Department, computer training in ashram schools of Bastar Division under Tribal Development Department, Health and Family Welfare, Coffee plantation in fallow lands of farmers, renovation and upgrading of irrigation projects, repairing works, millets-based processing centres etc. Union Minister has assured of taking positive initiatives on these demands.
While meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi Baghel requested the Union Minister for early completion of pending works for establishing air base camp of Air Force. Baghel informed that earlier, Government of India had given permission to establish air base camp of Indian Air Force in Naya Raipur. He requested Rajnath Singh to take necessary initiative for establishing air base camp. Rajnath Singh assured that the pending cases of establishing air base camp will be redressed soon.
