Holistic Development of Villages Is the Foundation for a Developed Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

Chief Minister Discusses Development Roadmap at High-Level Review Meeting of Zila Panchayat CEOs

Raipur, July 27, 2026/

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a high-level review meeting and workshop for the Chief Executive Officers of all Zila Panchayats at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Nimora, Nava Raipur, on July 27. Addressing the meeting, he stated that Gram Panchayats should not merely function as implementing agencies for government schemes but must emerge as centres of social transformation, economic prosperity and self-reliant rural economies. He said the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh can be realised only when Gram Panchayats are empowered, villages become self-reliant, and every rural citizen actively participates in the development process.

He said the true meaning of good governance is ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach every person without discrimination. He urged officials to work with sensitivity, honesty and a spirit of public service to earn the trust of rural communities. He directed them to identify villages in every district that could be developed into model villages through public participation, effective planning, and the optimal use of local resources.

Viksit Bharat G RAM G Yojana to Strengthen Rural Development

CM Shri Sai said the Viksit Bharat G Ram G Yojana, launched on July 1, is an important initiative to strengthen the rural economy. He directed officials to prioritise employment generation along with the creation of durable community assets and quality infrastructure. The scheme will accelerate water conservation, agriculture, rural infrastructure, livelihood generation and community asset creation. He emphasised that there should be no compromise on the quality of construction works.

Water Conservation and Sustainable Resource Management to Be Prioritised

The Chief Minister said rural development should extend beyond infrastructure to focus on water conservation, soil health, agricultural productivity, animal husbandry, fisheries, and the scientific management of natural resources. He instructed officials that every district should prepare location-specific water conservation plans with priority on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Over 10.4 lakh Women Become Lakhpati Didis

CM Shri Sai said women’s empowerment has gained new momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. More than 10.40 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have become Lakhpati Didis, and the government is now working to transform many of them into Crorepati Didis through entrepreneurship, skill development and self-employment. He directed Zila Panchayat CEOs to identify eligible women and link them with self-help groups, livelihood activities, skill development programmes and opportunities created under the state’s new industrial policy.

Development to Reach Every Village in Bastar

The Chief Minister instructed officials, particularly those from Bastar division, to give the highest priority to development in remote and inaccessible areas. He said the government is developing roads, providing electricity, constructing houses, ration services, drinking water, and providing education and healthcare facilities. The government’s objective, he said, is to ensure that development reaches the last person.

Timely Implementation of PM Awas Yojana and Social Security Schemes

CM Shri Sai directed officials to accelerate the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and ensure that all eligible beneficiaries receive assistance on time. He also stressed that payments under social security pension schemes and other welfare programmes should not be delayed and called for an effective monitoring mechanism at the Panchayat level.

He said the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a major step towards energy self-reliance and instructed officials to promote the scheme extensively at the Panchayat level to connect more households with solar energy. He also called for special campaigns to maximise the benefits of solar pumps and other solar energy initiatives for farmers and rural families.

The Chief Minister said public service should not be confined to discharging official responsibilities but should aim to bring about positive social change that future generations will remember. Drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to nation-building, he urged every officer to view public service as an opportunity to transform society.

One Person’s Determination Can Transform an Entire Village

Referring to the Hiwade Bazar model developed by Padma Shri Awardee Shri Popatrao Pawar, the Chief Minister said strong leadership, determination and public participation can transform any village. Recalling his first interaction with Shri Pawar in 1999 as a newly elected Member of Parliament, he said the village’s transformation story has since become a national model for rural development.

He also urged officials to draw inspiration from the village development model created by Nanaji Deshmukh at the Deendayal Research Institute in Chitrakoot and the social transformation achieved through education by Dr Achyuta Samanta in Odisha. He asked every district to develop its own locally relevant model based on available resources and local needs to ensure sustainable and inclusive development.

Hiwade Bazar Model Highlights the Power of Public Participation

During the workshop, Padma Shri Awardee Shri Popatrao Pawar shared the transformation journey of Hiwade Bazar. He said that in 1989 the village faced severe water scarcity, migration, unemployment and social challenges. Through public participation, discipline, water conservation and scientific management of natural resources, the village underwent a remarkable transformation. Today, migration has ended; there are no Below Poverty Line (BPL) families; around 5,000 litres of milk are collected daily; and per capita income has increased to approximately Rs. 9 lakh.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Smt Richa Sharma, Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Shri Bhim Singh, Director Smt Priyanka Rishi Mahobia, retired IAS officer Shri Amarjeet Sinha, Chief Executive Officers of all Zila Panchayats and senior officials of the concerned departments attended the meeting.