Special Article
Eight Months of Good Governance in Chhattisgarh – The State Flourishes Under Vishnu’s Leadership
Chhagan Lonhare, Deputy Director
Raipur >> As soon as Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai took charge of the new government in Chhattisgarh, he initiated efforts to strengthen the state’s economy, bring development to tribal areas, and promote transparency and good governance. New camps are being expanded in the interior regions of Bastar. The ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, meaning ‘Your Prosperous Village,’ has been launched specifically for beneficiaries from the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. Similar to the ‘PM Janman Yojana,’ this scheme provides benefits from 53 beneficiary-oriented schemes and 28 community facilities from 17 departments to people living within a five-kilometer radius of the camps in forested areas.
As a result of these initiatives, the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi are being swiftly implemented. With Modi’s third term as Prime Minister, a double-engine government is operating in the state. Upon assuming leadership, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has fostered a new environment conducive to development. Sai believes that the essence of democracy is good governance, and without it, true democracy is unimaginable
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The state government has decided to provide an annual assistance of 10,000 rupees to landless farmers under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Agricultural Labor Welfare Scheme. Additionally, the state government has resolved to distribute free food grains to 6.8 million Antyodaya and priority ration cardholders for the next five years. In keeping with its promises, the government purchased paddy from farmers at 3,100 rupees per quintal and a limit of 21 quintals per acre, resulting in a record purchase of 14.5 million metric tons of paddy. Due to farmer-friendly policies, agriculture has seen a revival, bringing smiles to the faces of farmers.
Known for his humble and approachable nature, Chief Minister Sai quickly began working on the guarantees given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fulfilling most of them within just eight months. Meeting these promises in such a short time demonstrates his administrative competence and effective leadership. In these eight months under his leadership, many public welfare decisions have been made, benefiting all sections of society. The government’s popularity is rapidly rising, working day and night for the people under the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas” (Together for everyone’s growth, trust, and effort).
To fulfill another guarantee, the Sai government launched the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, benefiting around 7 million women in the state. On Good Governance Day, December 25, the birth anniversary of the late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, 13 lakh farmers in the state received an outstanding bonus of 3,716 crore rupees for two years of paddy cultivation, directly credited to their bank accounts.
Prime Minister Modi had stated that those who tamper with the future of the youth will not be spared. Acting quickly on this guarantee, Chief Minister Sai handed over the investigation of irregularities in the State Civil Services Examination (PSC) of 2021 to the CBI. Additionally, considering public interest, the Mahadev Satta app case was also handed over to the CBI. The state government has also decided to conduct a CBI investigation into the Birampur incident in Bemetara district. In line with Modi’s guarantee, the Vishnu Dev Sai government has initiated the Shri Ramlala Darshan Yojana. This unique and exemplary scheme in India facilitates visits to Ayodhya Dham for pilgrims at government expense. Chhattisgarh is considered the maternal home of Lord Ram, making this scheme even more sacred for the state’s people. Every citizen of Chhattisgarh is eager to visit their “bhancha” (nephew), Ram.
Within hours of taking the oath, Chief Minister Sai decided to provide permanent housing to 18 lakh families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In addition to ensuring housing for all, Prime Minister Modi’s Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide clean drinking water to everyone. A budget of 4,500 crore rupees has been allocated for its implementation in the state. The goal is to provide tap connections to 5 million rural households in Chhattisgarh, and so far, 3.91 million families have been connected. The state has decided to implement the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana along with the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Health Scheme, benefiting 7.72 million families with free health services up to 5 lakh rupees each. The remuneration rate for tendu leaf collectors has been increased from 4,000 rupees per standard bag to 5,500 rupees. This year, 1.35 million tendu leaf collectors were paid 855.8 crore rupees.
The Tribal and Scheduled Caste Department has increased the number of seats for UPSC aspirants in the youth hostel run in New Delhi from 50 to 185. In addition, comprehensive libraries, similar to the Nalanda complex in Raipur, will be established in 13 other urban bodies in the state. To enhance health services, the state is expanding medical education, planning to start the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Science (CIMS) at the divisional level, similar to AIIMS. The new industrial policy will be implemented on November 1, 2024, to provide large-scale employment opportunities to the youth and accelerate economic growth. The state government is also developing Nava Raipur as an IT and innovation hub. Just like the National Capital Region (NCR), the state government is planning to develop a State Capital Region. The Chhattisgarh Udyam Kranti Yojana will provide interest-free loans with a 50% subsidy to young entrepreneurs, offering them more opportunities.
