Raipur: A village-level fish seed distribution program was organized under the auspices of the Janpad Panchayat Lakhanpur under the National Rural Livelihood Mission "Bihan" and the Aspirational Block Program. Tourism and Culture Minister Mr. Rajesh Agrawal participated in the program and praised the efforts being made to connect rural families with new livelihood opportunities.

Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal stated that strengthening the rural economy and providing employment and self-employment opportunities to villagers in their own areas are among the state government's priorities. Through the National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan), rural families, especially women, are being organized and connected to economic activities. Local resource-based businesses like fish farming can play an important role in increasing rural families' incomes and making them self-reliant.

He stated that the government's effort is to connect as many families as possible to sustainable livelihoods by optimally utilizing the natural resources and local skills available in rural areas. Initiatives like fish seed distribution will provide villagers with the necessary foundation for fish farming, enabling them to develop it as an economic activity and increase their income. He added that increasing women's economic participation not only strengthens families but also boosts the entire village economy.

Mr. Agarwal stated that women's self-help groups are the greatest strength of the "Bihan" campaign. Through these groups, women are moving toward self-reliance by engaging in savings, credit, self-employment, and various income-generating activities. Special emphasis is being placed on providing these groups with the benefits of government schemes and connecting them with agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, small enterprises, and other local economic activities.

He said that through the Aspirational Block Program, efforts are being made to bring positive change in the areas of education, health, nutrition, agriculture, skill development, and livelihoods in priority areas from a development perspective. The government's intention is to connect every village family to the mainstream of development and develop adequate sources of income at the local level.

Minister Shri Agarwal urged villagers to take maximum advantage of the government's various public welfare schemes, saying that the true purpose of these schemes will be achieved only when their benefits reach the last person in line, enabling them to stand on their own feet. Extending his best wishes to the fish farming beneficiaries, he said that this initiative will prove helpful in strengthening the economic condition of rural families in the future.

During the program, fish seeds were distributed to rural beneficiaries to promote fish farming. Villagers expressed their gratitude to the state government for this initiative, saying that such schemes are providing them with a new source of income in their own villages.

Lundra MLA Shri Prabodh Minj along with local public representatives, officers and employees of the concerned departments, members of women self-help groups and a large number of villagers were present in the program.