Elections 2022: Congress Launches Welfare Scheme For Landless Labourers

On Thursday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a Chhattisgarh government financial assistance scheme for landless labourers in rural regions, with roughly 3.55 lakh participants getting Rs 2,000 in their bank accounts as the first instalment. 

During his day-long visit to the state, Gandhi launched the 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen  Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana' at an event held in Raipur's Science College Ground. 

At the event, the Lok Sabha MP also announced the inauguration of the 'Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club' scheme, which will provide financial aid of Rs 25,000 to its beneficiaries. 

Gandhi laid the foundation stones for a memorial with an eternal flame to be built at the 4th battalion of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force for soldiers and security personnel killed in the line of duty, as well as for the 'Gandhi Sevagram' ashram in Nava Raipur, the state's upcoming capital city. 

"It's a wonderful coincidence that the Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Scheme began on this day 16 years ago. In Chhattisgarh, the 'Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana' was inaugurated today "While speaking at the event, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stated. 

Registered rural labourers who do not own agricultural land will be provided financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year in instalments under the 'Rajiv Gandhi  Bhoomihin  Krishi Majdoor Nyay Yojana.' At the occasion, the first instalment of Rs 2,000 was distributed to recipients. 

The first-of-its-kind initiative, for which the state government has set aside Rs 200 crore in the budget for the financial year 2021-22, would assist about 3.55 lakh landless households, including labourers, barbers, blacksmiths, priests, forest produce collectors, and shepherds, among others. 

The Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club programme aims to expose young people in the state to creative works, build leadership abilities, and raise awareness of their social duties. 

In panchayats and urban civic bodies, 13,269 clubs would be founded as part of the scheme. These groups will be open to anybody between the ages of 15 and 40. These groups would get a total of Rs 1 lakh in four payments for varied activities each year. 

Meanwhile, before Gandhi finished his day-long visit to the state capital, family members of Chief Minister Baghel visited Gandhi in a hotel here. Baghel posted photos of Gandhi with his family on Twitter, writing, "There were two instances, one of which included a special visitor. One (occasion) is our wedding anniversary and the other one is preparation for our son's marriage. Thank Your@RahulGandhi ji."