Chhattisgarh CM Carries Briefcase Made of Cow dung Powder to Present State Budget

Bhupesh Baghel, the Chief Minister of Chattisgarh, presented the state Budget documents to the Assembly on Wednesday in a briefcase made of cow dung powder.

The briefcase was made during a 10-day period in a Raipur-based gauthan (cattle shed premises) using cow dung powder, gum, and flour, among other components, as well as wood handles and clasps by Kondagaon artisans. "Gomaye Vasate Lakshmi" was scribbled in Sanskrit on the briefcase, which means "Goddess of Wealth Laxmi lives in cow dung."

The Chhattisgarh Assembly's Budget Session began on Monday, and the Budget was tabled on Wednesday.

Last month, the Chhattisgarh government allocated Rs 10.24 crore for the Godhan Nyay Yojana, a flagship scheme for cattle-rearing villagers, women organisations linked with Gauthans, and Gauthan committees. The scheme is designed to help cattle owners supplement their income.

In addition, in 2020, the state stated that it will purchase cow dung from cow breeders and farmers, making it the first state in India to do so.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel presented a Budget of Rs 1,04,000 crore for 2022-23 on Wednesday, a 7% increase over the previous year, and announced the reinstatement of the old pension scheme for state government employees, as well as a doubling of the annual MLA local area development fund.

Baghel told the Assembly that the total revenue surplus for the current fiscal year is expected to be Rs 702 crore.

Baghel also declared a Rs 6,000-crore allocation for the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Bhoomiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana, he promised a rise in compensation from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000 per annum, as well as an expansion of its scope. "The initiative would assist 'Manjhi', 'Baiga', 'Gunia', 'Pujari', 'Haat Paharya', and 'Baja Mohariya' who worship at tribal shrines in scheduled regions," he added.