Raipur: To save kharif crops from cattle, preparations for ‘Roka-Chheka Abhiyan’ on Friday started in all the villages of the state.

In the campaign, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel attended the ‘Roka Chheka’ ritual organized in village Patora in Durg district via video call from his residence office. Villagers were overjoyed with the presence of the chief minister.

The chief minister asked village sarpanchs about the preparation of the campaign. He said that he was happy to see enthusiasm of people and appreciated the collective efforts of people along with members of gauthan samiti. The chief minister said that Roka Chheka is an important part of our rural culture.

Meanwhile, the village sarpanch Anjita Sahu told CM Baghel that all the livestock owners have been administered the pledge of keeping their cattle in gauthans.

CM Baghel said that ‘Roka Chheka’ is an important tradition for saving kharif crops. Earlier, people of village used to take pledge and protect crops. He interacted with senior public representative Ashwini Sahu as well. Sahu told that preparations for Roka Chheka were being done in the village for the last two-three days. People have been motivated to take community pledge on the day of Roka Chheka.

Besides, the preparation required for keeping cattles in gauthan has also been completed. On the occasion, Chief Minister also interacted with people Pahatiya. He said that because of the efforts of people in Pahatiya, gauthan there is flourishing. He extended good wishes to people of the village for kharif crops.

Notably, ‘Roka Chheka’ campaign will be conducted across the state from June 19 to June 30. Public discussions for effective implementation of Roka Chheka tradition will be held across the state from June 19 to June 30, for protection of crops and for expansion of multicrop areas. Meanwhile, strategies to stop open grazing of cattle in rural areas and to make roads in cities cattle-free will be discussed. Livestock owners will pledge to do Roka Chheka to save crops from cattle.