Bhilai, Jan 31: On Thursday, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that safety and security of women and their empowerment are the top priorities of his government. Concrete steps will be taken in this direction. CM has given instructions to the administrative officials in this regard during the recent meeting with Collectors and SPs of the state. He added that human trafficking is a matter of great concern in some parts of the state. The Law Enforcers have been instructed to take such matters seriously, said Baghel while interacting with a delegation of women journalists at his residence in Vasundhara Nagar, Charoda.
In reply to a question regarding expansion of Right to Education (RTE) cover up to class 12th, Baghel said that it is a policy matter and hence it will be finalized in the upcoming assembly session. It needs to be mentioned here that there are about 4000 students of first batch in Durg District who had received benefits under RTE. This batch is going to appear in the class 8th examination this year and thereafter these students will not get the benefits of RTE from next class. The students and underprivileged families benefitted from this scheme are demanding to expand the RTE cover up to Class 12th so that the students could continue their studies without any financial trouble.
Speaking about the condition of government schools, CM said that they will make efforts to improve the standard of infrastructure and education in the government and bring it at par with the private schools. He added that education and health sectors are among the top priorities of Chhattisgarh Government.
Women journalists informed the Chief Minister that some banks are refusing agriculture loans to the farmers for the Rabi Crop this year. Baghel replied that banks must entertain every farmer who seeks agriculture loans. He added that government would intervene if some particular bank is refusing to give loans to farmers.