RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday released a compensation amount of Rs 6.97 crores to 54 farmers of Balrampur-Ramanujganj district. The compensation for land acquisition has been paid after 25 years. Baghel had released the amount online in a virtual event held at his official residence here. The amount of Rs 11.49 lakh recovered from the chit fund companies to 146 citizens and the assistance amount of Rs 7.26 crore under the revenue book circular was also paid to 1,946 beneficiaries. During the direct public interaction drive (Bhent Mulaqat) at Balrampur-Ramanujganj district in the month of May, the farmers had complained of not receiving the amount of land acquisition compensation to the Chief Minister. He had then directed officials to examine the pending cases after the compensation amount was released. Baghel in his address said the state government stands with the people of the state in their every happiness and sorrow. The farmers had handed over their land for various irrigation projects. They had almost lost hope for receiving the compensation but it has become true. The compensation was paid for Kanhar Inter-State Scheme, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh of the year 1996-97, Tati Athar Reservoir Scheme, Chera Diversion Scheme and Kurludih Reservoir Scheme of the year 2011-12. On chit fund companies, he said all efforts are being made to recover the funds cheated from the people. The properties are being attached.