Raipur >> On the occasion of Republic Day, Governor Mr. Ramen Deka hoisted the flag today at the Police Parade Ground in the capital Raipur and took the salute of the parade.
The full text of the message delivered by Governor Mr. Deka on this occasion is as follows:
Dear People of the State,
I extend my warmest wishes to all of you on the 76th Republic Day.
In our tradition, it is said that “Janani Janmabhumiśca Swargādapi Gariyasi”—the mother and the motherland are greater than heaven. We have gathered today to celebrate the 76th Republic Day of our beautiful land, Bharat Mata. We are fortunate to have been born on this land. Our fortune also lies in living in a free nation under the protection of the best Constitution. This has been made possible through the courage of our freedom fighters and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence. We are grateful to the framers of the Constitution, who drafted a document that ensures the dignity of every citizen in a democratic state. We are also indebted to the democracy warriors who upheld the pillars of the Constitution during difficult times.
This year, the state of Chhattisgarh is celebrating its Silver Jubilee. It is also the birth centenary year of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the architect of Chhattisgarh. My government is celebrating this occasion as the Atal Construction Year. We, the people of Chhattisgarh, are grateful to Atal Ji. The rapid development we are witnessing in our state and our vision of a developed Chhattisgarh is driven by Atal Ji’s governance mantra and the concept of inclusive development.
Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar created a republic through the Constitution, where every citizen could enjoy freedom with dignity while contributing to nation-building. My government is committed to the development of every section of society and is working in that direction. Martyr Veernarayan Singh sounded the bugle against the British in the First War of Independence in 1857. He fought for freedom from subjugation and liberation from hunger. His ideals continue to guide us. My government has decided to provide free ration for five years to 68 lakh families in the state.
A government’s sensitivity is reflected in its concerns. The first decision of my government was to provide roofs to 18 lakh families. We have also approved the construction of 3 lakh additional houses in the next financial year. Chhattisgarh, known as the rice bowl of the country, contributes the most rice to the central pool after one other state. My government has worked to bring smiles to the faces of our farmers. Chhattisgarh farmers receive Rs. 3100 per quintal for rice, and 21 quintals per acre are purchased, which is the highest in the country. Additionally, my government has launched the Deendayal Upadhyay Landless Agricultural Laborers Welfare Scheme, providing Rs. 10,000 annually to 5.62 lakh landless farmers. This decision has brought prosperity to every village, and people have returned to farming. Tractors are seen in villages, and farmers are investing in agriculture, boosting both rural and urban economies.
Dr. Ambedkar once said that he measures the progress of a community by the degree of advancement its women have achieved. I am pleased that my government has taken many steps to empower women. Through the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, 70 lakh women receive Rs. 1,000 every month, helping them manage their budgets. Many mothers and sisters are fulfilling their dreams with this amount.
My government focuses on rapid economic growth. Chhattisgarh is an ideal state with an attractive investment environment, offering abundant mineral resources, skilled human resources, and excellent infrastructure. By implementing the new industrial policy, my government has rolled out a red carpet for investors in the state. With initiatives like the Single Window System 2.0, Ease of Doing Business, and various attractive incentives, Chhattisgarh offers golden opportunities for investment, expected to bring in Rs. 2.5 lakh crore of investment and create 5 lakh job opportunities in the next five years.
The greatest threat to our Republic comes from violent ideologies. For several years, the state has been embroiled in the Maoist crisis. My government has made strenuous efforts to weaken the Maoists through intensive campaigns within a year. Our enthusiastic youth have broken the Maoist backbone, eliminating them from their most secure hideouts.
In areas where Maoist violence had hindered development, my government is reaching out to rural communities with 53 welfare schemes and 28 community services under the “Niyad Nella Nar” plan. For the first time, health camps have been held, Aadhaar cards are being issued, Ayushman cards are being made, and children’s smiles have returned to schools. Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of “Suraji Villages” is being realized here, and my government has also organized the Bastar Olympics, with 1.65 lakh participants, signaling the return of peace to the region. Our esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi also praised this initiative in his “Mann Ki Baat,” which is a matter of pride for the entire state.
Good governance is the guiding principle of my government. The most crucial requirement for good governance is transparency. My government is adopting digital governance at all levels. IT tools worth Rs. 266 crore are being installed in various departments to prevent departmental irregularities. We are also implementing the e-office system to ensure the security of official comments, making it impossible to alter them. Files will be processed within defined timelines, ensuring transparency in policy decision-making.
Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, digital governance has been promoted at every level. Through the PM Gati Shakti initiative, he monitors large infrastructure projects, ensuring their timely execution. My government has developed the Atal Monitoring Portal to keep track of flagship schemes’ implementation. We are also innovating to bring citizen services onto digital platforms, such as simplifying the registry process through the Sugam App and providing real-time bus locations through the Bus Sangwari App.
My government is committed to providing a transparent and clean administration. To ensure the integrity of the recruitment process in civil services, we have handed over the investigation of the 2021 PSC exam to the CBI. To increase transparency in the PSC exams and prepare the youth for UPSC competition, we have decided to conduct PSC exams on the lines of UPSC. The number of seats in the Tribal Youth Hostel in New Delhi has been increased from 50 to 185. We are also establishing high-tech libraries in 13 urban bodies based on Raipur’s Nalanda Library.
My government is developing Naya Raipur Atal Nagar as an IT hub with MoUs with several companies. This area is also being developed as a business conference and wedding destination. For the Medicity project, 200 acres of land have been identified for the establishment of a 5,000-bed hospital. We have also earmarked 141 acres for the development of Naya Raipur Atal Nagar as a pharmaceutical hub. The State Capital Region will see rapid development in the coming years.
Chhattisgarh is endowed with immense natural beauty. From Kanger Valley to Semarsot, the chain of forests amazes tourists. The magic of tribal culture and the marvel of Pandwani can be experienced here. Asia’s Niagara Falls and a glimpse of McLeodganj are found here. One of the 20 best tourism villages selected by the United Nations World Tourism Organization is Dhudmaras in Kanger Valley. My government is continuously working to add something new and better to this beautiful environment. Recently, we established the Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, the third-largest in the country. We have also initiated the construction of the Maa Mahamaya Airport in Ambikapur, and with the launch of flights between Ambikapur, Bilaspur, and Raipur, tourists are benefiting from easier travel to the region.
In line with the National Education Policy 2020, my government has implemented the policy in the state, providing education in 18 local languages. In light of the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our lives, it is imperative to prepare society accordingly. We have already incorporated AI and robotics into school curriculums. Our new education policy is employment-oriented. To meet the needs of the new era, 160 ITIs in the state are being upgraded at a cost of Rs. 484 crore.
The foremost priority of my government is to ensure effective healthcare services for the people. State hospitals are continuously being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. We have started expanding the SIMS hospital in Bilaspur with an investment of Rs. 200 crore. The expansion of the 700-bed Ambedkar Hospital has also been approved with Rs. 231 crore. In total, this expansion will provide 2,000 beds. My government has allocated Rs. 1,020 crore for the development of four new medical colleges in Janjgir-Champa, Kabirdham, Manendragarh, and Geedam.
Chhattisgarh is the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram and witnessed his exile. This holy land is where Mata Shabari offered Lord Ram the fruits of her labor. When the idol of Shri Ram was consecrated in Ayodhya, millions of Indians shed tears of joy. A government with a welfare-oriented approach is responsible not only for economic development but also for ensuring the spiritual well-being of the people.
Considering the deep devotion people have for Shri Ram, my government launched the Ayodhya Dham Shri Ramdarshan Yojana, through which over 20,000 people have visited Ayodhya so far. We have also set up a Chhattisgarh Pavilion at the Prayagraj Kumbh for our pilgrims.
Our country is now one of the top five largest economies in the world. This has been made possible by our Republic, which ensures social, economic, and political justice for all. Our Prime Minister has envisioned a developed India by the centenary of independence and is working tirelessly to achieve it. My government is equally committed to making Chhattisgarh a developed state by 2047, and we have prepared a Vision Document for this purpose.
On this auspicious occasion of Republic Day, I urge all the citizens of the state to continue working with a determined spirit. Our dream of a developed Chhattisgarh will surely materialize.
Once again, I wish you all a very Happy Republic Day.
