Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai reiterated his commitment to transparent governance and public welfare during a Collectors’ Conference at the New Circuit House in Raipur.
Highlighting the state’s progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Sai emphasised the need for renewed efforts to realise the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh. He urged officers to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the most vulnerable sections of society, stressing that inclusive development is key to the state’s future success.
The Chief Minister issued firm directives to all district collectors, emphasising the need for accountability and ensuring that flagship schemes meet their saturation targets. Expressing strong displeasure over reports of mistreatment of the public and school students by government officials, Sai warned against insensitivity and negligence. He stated, “Officers must listen to public grievances with empathy and resolve them swiftly. Any misbehavior or unprofessional conduct will result in immediate action.”
Sai highlighted the importance of local administrations in resolving issues at the grassroots level. “Minor local problems should be settled in the districts. Citizens should not have to travel to the state capital to seek resolution,” he said, urging officials to take immediate action on issues flagged by elected representatives.
During a review of the Revenue Department, the Chief Minister underscored its pivotal role in serving the interests of farmers and the public. He instructed officials to expedite the resolution of revenue cases, such as land disputes and errors, ensuring no unnecessary delays. Sai expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of progress in districts like Sarangarh-Bilaigarh, Bastar, and Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai, urging collectors to focus on improving performance where progress was below 70 per cent.
Housing for all remained a key priority, with the Chief Minister announcing the state’s target of constructing 846,931 homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Additionally, the state government has identified 47,000 homeless families who will be provided housing under the Chief Minister’s Housing Scheme. “This is a top priority for us, and we must work swiftly to ensure every family has a roof over their heads,” said Sai.
Focusing on sanitation, Sai emphasised the ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission and called for strict adherence to cleanliness standards in villages across Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister also addressed the implementation of MGNREGA, urging officials to resolve payment issues and boost job creation in rural areas. He expressed dissatisfaction with the lower-than-expected creation of person-days in Bastar, directing officials to support self-help groups and focus on rural development.
In the education sector, Sai expressed concern over delays in distributing bicycles under the Saraswati Cycle Scheme. He particularly reprimanded officials from districts like Sukma and Balrampur, where distributions had not yet begun, stating, “Such negligence will not be tolerated.”
In his review of the Tribal Development Department, the Chief Minister emphasised the importance of ensuring that all beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Man Yojana are reached. He also called for improvements in forest rights documentation in districts like Kabirdham, and faster progress in the digitalisation of records. Sai further directed officials to improve the conditions of hostels and ashrams, ensuring that meals are provided as per the prescribed menu.
The Mahatari Vandan Scheme was highlighted as one of the government’s flagship initiatives. Sai urged officials to ensure that no eligible woman is left out of the programme, while also speeding up the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandan Yojana. He declared that the elimination of malnutrition should be a top priority, calling for dedicated efforts across the state to meet this goal.
The Collectors’ Conference was attended by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Pingua, and other senior officials from various departments, alongside divisional commissioners, district collectors, and municipal commissioners.