Rice at Rs 3 for Chhattisgarh BPL families

Raipur, Nov 2: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has announced an ambitious Rs 800 crore food security scheme aimed at providing 35 Kg rice every month to all below poverty line (BPL) families at Rs three per kg.

''All BPL families would be benefitted under the scheme to be implemented from January one next year'', he told newsmen today, elaborating on the announcement made last night at the inaugural ceremony of the state's seventh anniversary.

''This is one of the best food security scheme in the country, covering about 65 per cent of the state's population'', he said, adding special arrangements have been made to implement and closely monitor the scheme so as to ensure that the targetted population was benefitted.

The BJP government has announced schemes, worth about Rs 1000 crore, including the food security scheme, on the occasion of the state's seventh anniversary.

Throwing light on other decisions, the Chief Minister said the government decided to regularise the services of more than 13,000 daily wages employees, who had joined service till 1995.

Besides, the government also decided to waive 50 per cent dues of those farmers, who cleared 50 per cent irrigation cess dues.

UNI