Nilanjan
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has transferred more than Rs 15 crore online to cattle-rearers, women self-help groups (SHGs) and gauthan committees as a part of his government’s flagship Godhan Nyay Yojana (GNY). The amount was transferred during a function held at the CM’s official residence in Raipur on Saturday, August 5, 2023.
The GNY is a unique and innovative scheme that aims to promote organic farming, rural economy, and animal husbandry in the state. Under this scheme, the state government procures cow dung and cow urine from cattle-rearers at gauthans (day care centres for cattle in villages) and uses them to prepare vermicompost and other organic products. The scheme also provides employment opportunities and income sources to women SHGs and gauthan committees, who are involved in the production and marketing of these products.
Benefits of Godhan Nyay Yojana
The GNY has been widely appreciated across the country and several states have been implementing similar projects. The scheme has made women of SHGs self-reliant while farmers’ interest in cattle rearing has increased, the CM said.
The scheme has also helped in improving the environment, health, and hygiene in the villages. The scheme has reduced the problem of stray cattle, which used to damage crops and cause accidents. The scheme has also prevented the burning of cow dung, which used to cause air pollution and health hazards.
The scheme has also boosted the demand and supply of organic products in the state. The vermicompost and other organic products produced under the scheme are sold at affordable prices to farmers and consumers through various outlets. The scheme has also encouraged the use of organic farming methods, which are beneficial for soil fertility, crop quality, and food security.
Details of online transfer
The CM transferred a total of Rs 15.29 crore online to the beneficiaries under the GNY. Of this amount, Rs 5.60 crore was transferred to accounts of cattle rearers in lieu of cow dung sold by them in gauthans. Besides, Rs 9.69 crore was given to gauthan committees and women SHGs which are associated with gauthans under the scheme.
The CM also interacted with some of the beneficiaries through video conferencing and congratulated them for their contribution to the success of the scheme. He also urged them to continue their efforts and inspire others to join the scheme.
The CM also announced that the state government will soon launch a new scheme called ‘Godhan Nyay Plus’, under which more value-added products will be made from cow dung and cow urine, such as bio-gas, bio-fertilizer, bio-pesticide, etc. He said that this will further increase the income and employment opportunities for the beneficiaries.
Achievements of Godhan Nyay Yojana
The GNY was launched by the state government in July 2020 on the occasion of Hareli festival, which is celebrated by farmers to mark the beginning of agricultural season. Since then, the scheme has achieved remarkable results in terms of procurement, production, and distribution of organic products.
According to official data, a total of Rs 541.66 crore has been given so far to the beneficiaries under the GNY. The state government has procured more than 27 lakh metric tonnes of cow dung and more than 2 lakh litres of cow urine from cattle rearers at gauthans. The state government has also produced more than 13 lakh metric tonnes of vermicompost and other organic products from these raw materials.
The state government has established more than 5,500 gauthans across the state, where more than 12 lakh cattle are registered. More than 15,000 women SHGs and more than 4,000 gauthan committees are associated with these gauthans under the scheme.
The state government has also set up more than 1,000 outlets for selling organic products under various brand names such as ‘Godhan Ark’, ‘Godhan Dhoop’, ‘Godhan Agarbatti’, etc. The state government has also tied up with e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart for online marketing of these products.
The GNY is a landmark initiative that has transformed the lives of lakhs of people in Chhattisgarh. It has also shown a new way of sustainable development that is based on local resources, traditional wisdom, and modern technology.
