Vision Forward

In a futuristic and novel approach, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has struck a chord of camaraderie with the youth of his state by taking proactive steps towards establishing a direct dialogue with them as their opinion matters in preparing a roadmap for state’s vision for development. The spree of interactive programmes with the youth will be organised at all the divisional levels serving as a platform that would encourage them to fearlessly share their views about their understanding and participation regarding the progress of Chhattisgarh.

YOUTH OPINION MATTERS

Chhattisgarh Government conveyed a strong message and intent by initiating a programme of direct dialogue with the young population to keep pace with current trends, future anticipations, and the aspirations of the youth that are vital and defining aspects for the state’s progress that would be taken into account while charting the future roadmap of the state.

ALLOWANCE FOR UP-KEEP

To address the concerns and challenges faced by the youth due to lack of economic support, CM Baghel announced the ‘Unemployment Allowance Scheme’ during the 74th Republic Day celebrations held at Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar district. The scheme was launched on April 1 this year. He said, “Unemployed youth will be given an unemployment allowance every month from the next financial year (2023-24).” He did not specify the amount of the monthly allowance, which is Rs 2500 per month.

Chief Minister transferred more than Rs 31.71 crore to the accounts of 1.22 lakh beneficiaries as the fourth instalment and more than Rs 112 crore has been paid so far as unemployment allowance. By availing the scheme’s benefits, unemployed youth are acquiring requisite skills that is making them job ready and self-reliant.

In addition to the financial aid, skill based training is provided to the beneficiaries of the Unemployment Allowance. Currently, 3318 youths are undergoing training in various institutions, with an additional 2916 youths set to commence their training soon.

At a recent function, while personally handing over appointment letters to 50 happy youth of Surguja after completion of their training, CM Baghel said, “I extend my best wishes to all the youngsters who have received the appointment letters today. We aim to provide employment to the youth soon after they complete their skill-development training.”Surguja District ranks at the top in disposing of 92.4 per cent i.e., a total of 3760 applicants and disbursing a total allowance of Rs 1.42 crore far as unemployment benefits.

Highlighting the commitment of his government, the Chief Minister said, “We have fulfilled our promises to the youth. We have disbursed more than Rs 112 crore as unemployment allowance in four months. Nearly 82 percent of the rural youth are being benefitted under the scheme. Planning will play a big role in shaping their future.”

EMPOWERING THE YOUTH

“Providing employment opportunities to youth is our priority,” said CM mentioning that the youth of the state now have access to skill development training as well as great job opportunities in the state. Informing about the initiatives taken in this direction, he said, “MoU for a project worth Rs 1188.36 crore for modernization of 36 ITIs of the state has been signed,” adding, “it is our priority to connect the youth of the state with employment.” He said that his government is making consistent and consolidated efforts to make it happen, and with the implementation of this project, youngsters will be provided training in 6 new technical trades as well as 23 short term courses. On completion of this project, it will facilitate skill development training to nearly 10,000 youth every year making them employable for various industries. “We have waived off the fees for the competitive examinations of PSC and Vyapam and now the unemployment allowance is helping the unemployment youth to prepare better for the exams,” said the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, which has seen aggressive advancements on all fronts.

CM Baghel said, “We have started direct communication with the youth of the state. We believe that the support of the youth is necessary for the progress and development of the state. Through this initiative, we are getting an opportunity to learn about the hopes, aspirations and opinions of the youth regarding their future and regarding the development of the state.” He further said that with the aim of providing maximum employment to the youth, recruitment for 41,000 government posts is in progress.

EXPRESSIONS OF GRATITUDE

Unemployment Allowance Scheme, initiated under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, is proving to be a boon for the unemployed youth. Subhadra Minj and Stella Lakda, both residents of Ambikapur, are living in a rented space and focusing on their studies. They are receiving significant assistance through the unemployment allowance, which is helping them with the purchase of books, notebooks, pens, competitive exam materials, and filling out exam forms. They mentioned that they no longer rely on their relatives for financial support and that they are utilizing the unemployment allowance to effectively achieve their goals. Similarly, Umesh Chaudhary, a resident of Lakhanpur, shared that he is utilizing the unemployment allowance to purchase study materials according to his specific needs. This assistance is proving instrumental in supporting his studies and preventing any financial difficulties from hindering his progress.

Ms. Meenu Chaurasia, of Gram Panchayat Chainpur of Manendragarh development block, is also an unemployed youth who is preparing for competitive exams. She shared that her family’s financial condition is weak, making it difficult for her to arrange books, stationery, and other necessary items for exam preparation. However, with the unemployment allowance, it has become easier for her to prepare for the exam. She utilizes the amount received to purchase books, textbooks, pen, examination forms and the internet recharge for research. Ms. Chaurasia, who recently applied for appointment in the labour department, informed that she no longer has to depend financially on her family members. She has thanked Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel for providing unemployment allowance under the scheme.

Similarly, Ms. Rajalakshmi Rathore, a resident of Kashinagar Korba city, said that after completing MSc Biotechnology, she is preparing for competitive examinations to get a government job. She is planning to appear for UGC NET, teacher recruitment exam. She wants to get a good job and support her father, a stamp vendor, in providing for the family, which is otherwise difficult with his limited income that hardly make ends meet.

RAJIV YUVA MITAN CLUB

To realize late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of a thriving young India driven by development, CM Bhagel started the Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club scheme in a phased manner in the state. The young members are being added to the club to harness the power of the youth to utilize their energy for the holistic development of Chhattisgarh.

By joining the Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club, the youth of the state along with playing an important role in promoting the culture, tradition and customs of Chhattisgarh, are also pursuing numerous income generating activities. 481 Rajiv Yuva Mitan Clubs formed in urban and Panchayat areas in Balrampur- Ramanujganj district have been clubbed for the development of the area and to take the public welfare schemes of the state government to the needy beneficiaries.

CLUB HUB FOR INCOME GENERATION

Under the guidance of Collector Mr. Vijay Dayaram K, 102 members of Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club in the urban and Panchayat areas of the district were given the responsibility of meter reading and electricity bill distribution. Balrampur-Ramanuganj is among the leading districts of the state with the maximum number of the club members engaged in the work of door-to-door meter reading and bill distribution. In lieu of this work, they are being paid Rs 7 per meter reading. The team of energetic youth is doing this work in a time bound manner according to the convenience of the common citizens. Through this work, the youth have got employment and are also getting some financial support.

Puneet Singh, a member of the Rajiv Yuva Mitan club who does meter reading and electricity bill distribution, said that he comes from a poor family and is a student of BA final year, and had to face financial difficulties in sustaining his educational expenses. By joining Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club, today he is able to fulfil his educational and family’s needs.

Puneet has earned about Rs 2 lakhs from this work so far, which he is using for his and his siblings’ education as well. Puneet has expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister and the district administration for establishing the Rajiv Yuva Mitan Club.

CHHATTISGARH’S CULTURAL CHARM

In the last four years, various events like Chhattisgarhia Olympics, National Tribal Dance Festival have been organised to nurture the young talent of the state.

A kaleidoscope of Chhattisgarh’s rich cultural traditions of tribal, folk and other rural art forms was the showstopper of the vibrant Youth Festival, held in January this year. It was a mesmerizing synergy of creativity, artistry and talent while serving as a better platform for the youth to showcase their talent while providing them with the opportunity to learn about and understand their state’s rich cultural, folk sports, traditions, and so on. Dance troupes of young people dressed in colourful and attractive costumes captivated the audience with various formations and postures. Panthi and Danda from Durg division, Kaksar from Bastar, Raut Nacha and Danda from Bilaspur, Karma and Sarhul from Surguja, and Karma and Panthi dance groups from Raipur divisions enthralled the audience with their performances.

In the Chhattisgarh Youth Festival, a total of 38 different cultural disciplines encompassing 24 cultural genres, 6 sports disciplines and 7 other disciplines were showcased by the participants in the colourful jamboree. It is noteworthy that the Culture Department also organised the Folk Literature Conference as part of this event. Under Chhattisgarh Lok Sahitya Sammelan, literature creations were held in dialects like Chhattisgarhi, Halbi, Gondi, Kudukh, Surgujhia etc., which was aimed at preserving the literary wealth of the state and promoting it as well. The state level Youth Festival is a confluence of diverse cultures and traditions of Chhattisgarh that connected the youth to their cultural roots and identity.

WINNERS AWARDED PRIZES

The Youth Festival saw participation of over three thousand, both women and men in each age group, who received prize money of Rs.10,000 for winning first place in team games, Rs.7,500 for second place, and Rs.5,000 for third place. In single disciplines, the first prize was1000 rupees, the second prize was 750 rupees, and the third prize was 500 rupees.

The Youth Festival proved to be a resounding success with the participants and the audience eagerly awaiting the next mega cultural event of Chhattisgarh’s ancient cultural traditions that have left footprints of the collective spirit of community expressed through dance, music and the arts.

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