Chhattisgarh govt launches Godhan Nyay Yojna

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday launched Godhan Nyay Yojna under which the state government will procure cow dung from cattle rearers at Rs 2 per kg for production of organic fertilizers.

This first of its kind scheme in the country was launched on the local Hareli Festival, and intends to promote cattle rearing, ensure safety of livestock and strengthening rural economy.

Chhattisgarh farmers will be able to earn Rs 12,000 annually, double the amount under the Centre's PM-Kisan scheme, by selling cow dung to the state government as part of 'Godhan Nyay Yojana', Baghel said.

Those who are cow-rearers, what are they getting? If they have three to four cattle, they can easily make Rs 1,500 per month. So if under the PM-Kisan scheme, they are getting Rs 6,000 annually, then under our Godhan Nyay Yojana, they will get Rs 12,000. They will get more than the PM's Kisan scheme," he said.

Under the central government's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi or PM-Kisan scheme, that came into effect from December 1, 2018, eligible farmers get Rs 6,000 annually –in three installments of Rs 2,000 every four months.

While inaugurating the scheme at a function at his official residence, Baghel said it will prove to be a boon for farmers and cattle rearers, as well as an elixir for the rural economy during the coronavirus outbreak, an official statement said.

"Godhan Nyay Yojana will not only help cattle ranchers earn extra income, but will also help in tackling the problem of open grazing by cattle and encourage use of organic fertilizers," he said.

Gauthan committees will procure cow dung at Rs 2 per kg and women self-help groups will prepare vermicompost from it, which will then be sold at Rs 8 per kg to farmers, while the dung will be utilized for other products, he said.

As a part of good governance in villages, the state government is running 'Narva, Garua, Ghurva, Bari' scheme to revive the rural economy, under which over 5,000 gauthans (dedicated area in villages where cattle are housed during the day) were sanctioned for construction.

Out of these, construction of 2,785 gauthans has been completed and the remaining is being set up, he said.

Godhan Nyay Yojana will be implemented through these gauthans where procured cow dung will be processed into fertilizers, he said.

The state government has a target of setting up gauthans in all 11,630 village panchayats and 20,000 villages in the state in a phase-wise manner.

Hareli festival is associated with agriculture and the environment and therefore the scheme was inaugurated on this occasion, an

official here said.

A tableau at the CM's residence portrayed the way the rituals are performed in village houses on Hareli.

Baghel worshiped farm equipment and fed cows on the occasion, he said. The chief minister also symbolically procured cow dung during the programme, which was attended by his cabinet ministers, senior officials and public representatives, he added.