• Notification Date: 02-01-2023
• Notification No: N/A

Chhattisgarh CM Baghel meets PM Modi in Delhi to Discuss Issues on Pending GST, Coal Royalty Dues

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. In the meeting, he raised several issues related to the state, including coal supply to industries, pending GST and coal royalty dues worth over Rs 5,000 crore that is needed to carry forward pending developmental work. 

The Congress leader also apprised PM Modi of the implementation of several government schemes, including the Millet Mission. He talked about the country’s first millet bank which was started in Chhattisgarh and 22 types of millets are produced there. Modi urged Baghel to start and promote a millet café in Raipur that sells food items made from millets as they are healthy options for fitness enthusiasts. The Prime Minister also promised that he would visit the cafe. 

Later, speaking at a press conference, Baghel said: “After getting to know about the passing away of Modi-ji’s mother I sought to postpone our meeting date. But I was informed by his office that our meeting will take place as scheduled. By doing this he (Modi) has set an exemplary example.” 

Talking about the issues discussed during the meeting, the chief minister said, “First thing I requested from him was our GST collection dues of over Rs 1,300 crore that is stuck (with the Centre). The second issue was coal royalty of approximately over Rs 4,100 crore, which has not been given to us. The third issue was related to coal transport done from Chhattisgarh this year using a railway route due to which 30 to 35 passenger trains got cancelled. I appealed to him that it must not happen in future.” 

“Another issue was that our coal-based industry has not received coal for the past few months. The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is not providing them coal which is affecting production. I demanded that coal must be provided to us appropriately,” said Baghel.