Proposals of demands for grants worth Rs284.31 crore were passed by voice vote in the Chhattisgarh Assembly for Cooperatives, Tourism and Culture Department for fiscal year 2018-19.

Tourism, Culture and Cooperatives Minister Dayaldas Baghel presented these demands on Wednesday.

Grant demands worth Rs 182.98 crore for Cooperatives Department, Rs42 .32 crore for Culture Department and Rs 59 crore for Tourism Department were approved.

Baghel said in his response to the discussion on grant demands that Purkhauti Muktangan in Naya Raipur gives the glimpse of Chhattisgarh's culture.

Tribal art has been displayed in Purkhati Muktangan under Aamcho Bastar. Surguja section is also being developed for exhibition the culture of Surguja region. In the next phase, culture of central plane regions of Chhattisgarh will be showcased, he said.

Baghel informed that Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum in Raipur has been renovated.

He informed that on the anniversary of State Foundation Day, Rajyotsav is celebrated every year with great enthusiasm, wherein artists from Chhattisgarh and other parts of the country get opportunity to present their talents.

Baghel informed that as per the announcement of Chief Minister Raman Singh, national award of Rs 10 lakh and state award of Rs two lakh has been established for excellent work in the area of film direction, in the memory of famous actor, producer, director Kishore Sahu.

The Minister informed that the chief objective of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshth Bharat Yojana’ is to underline the unity in diversity. Under the scheme, artists of Chhattisgarh and Gujarat states will present their artforms in each others states.

Under the scheme, specialities of the state in the field of agriculture, art, culture, drawing, literature, music, dance, tourism, sports and traditions will be exchanged, Baghel said.

He informed that Chhattisgarh Rajya Bhasha Aayog is playing important role in promoting Chhattisgarh.

Responding to the grant demands of cooperatives department, the Minister informed that 10.04 lakh farmers have been allotted Ru-Pay Kisaan Credit Card, using which they can withdraw money from any ATM of the country.

Baghel informed that six district cooperative central banks in Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur are to be merged in Chhattisgarh State Cooperative bank. This will make it convenient for farmers to avail credit facility and the facilities of Reserve Bank of India will further benefit farmers.

Through cooperative societies in state, farmers are being provided short-term agriculture loans at zero interest. Likewise, 14 lakh farmers of state are being benefited under Prime Minister Crop Insurance Scheme, he said.

Baghel informed that state has four sugar factories operating under Cooperatives Department, which produces 4.13 lakh quintals of sugar.