Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, while paying tribute to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary on Saturday, said Chhattisgarh was fulfilling the great leader’s vision of “inclusive development”.

“Rajiv Gandhiji had dreamt of an inclusive India that strives towards holistic development of the country in various avenues and made policies keeping development at the forefront. The Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana was launched by the state government in 2020 on the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Under it, financial aid is being transferred directly to the accounts of more than 22 lakh farmers in the form of input subsidy. Under this scheme, Rs 11,302 crore have been paid in the accounts of farmers in the last two years,” Baghel said in a statement.

The chief minister said the Chhattisgarh government had started Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana with the objective of providing financial support and justice to landless families in villages besides farmers.

“About 3.55 lakh landless families are benefiting from this scheme,” the statement added.

Baghel said the first instalment of around Rs 71 crore was released in the bank accounts of 3.55 lakh landless families of the state on Saturday. Under this scheme, the annual assistance has been increased from Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000, the statement added.

The chief minister said that the Suraji Gaon Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Bhumiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana and Godhan Nyay Yojana were proving to be helpful in strengthening the rural economy and a large section of the society financially.

Baghel said Rajiv Gandhi had a deep attachment to Chhattisgarh.

“He closely observed the tribal culture and inhabitants of Chhattisgarh and worked towards their development. His brief stay in 1985 in the tribal area of Kulhadighat in Gariaband district was still etched in the memories of the people. Around the same time, he travelled to Dugli in Dhamtari district, which is now also known as Rajiv Gram,” the statement added.

Baghel said the former PM made a significant contribution to the development and reestablishment of India. It was because of his visionary and innovative thinking that India witnessed an information technology revolution, which helped it to emerge as a rapidly developing country, the chief minister added.

“Today, we are able to see the present form of e-governance and transparency in government functioning as an effect of his initiative. The foundation of Digital India was laid during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi. He played a crucial role in strengthening the foundation of the country by empowering Panchayati Raj institutions and urban bodies. He was the one who brought down the voting age from 21 to 18 and gave youth the right to vote. By promoting science and technology, he opened several new avenues for industries in the country,” Baghel’s statement said.

The chief minister said Rajiv Gandhi did not bow down to terrorism and did not care for his life in his love of the country.

“In his honour and to pay tribute to him, his death anniversary on May 21 is celebrated by the whole country as Anti-Terrorism Day. A true tribute to Rajiv Gandhi can be paid by working towards the development of the country and the state by ending the roots of terrorism, Naxalism, and corruption,” the statement said.