Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai conducted an in-depth review of the works of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department

Empowering Panchayats and taking development to the last person is the top priority: Chief Minister Sai

Raipur 28 April 2025: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai today reviewed the works of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department in detail at the Ministry Mahanadi Bhawan. Chief Minister Sai said that by empowering the Panchayats, taking development to the last person of the state is our top priority. He said that panchayats are the first link in our development journey, and effective implementation of the schemes run for rural development should be ensured. Chief Minister Sai said that all the work related to the resolution taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide pucca housing to every poor family should be completed within the time limit. While reviewing the survey work going on under the “More Door-Sai Sarkar” campaign under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, he expressed happiness over the completion of the survey of more than 20 lakh families. Sai directed to ensure timely construction and continuous review of the houses approved for special backward tribal families under the PM Janman Yojana. Also, giving special emphasis on real time tracking of works related to PM Awas, he instructed not to be negligent at any level.

While reviewing the works of MNREGA, Chief Minister Sai stressed on creating maximum employment and ensuring quality of works. He directed to prepare a detailed action plan for the “More Village More Water” campaign launched on Panchayati Raj Day and to include GIS technology in it for groundwater recharge and watershed development. Chief Minister Sai reviewed various schemes including 15th Finance Commission, National Village Swaraj Yojana, Mahtari Sadan, District and Janpad Panchayat Development Fund, Chief Minister Samagra Gramin Vikas Yojana and Swami Vivekananda Yuva Protsahan Yojana. He also discussed the plan to honor the members doing excellent work on Panchayati Raj Day to promote healthy competition among the three-tier Panchayati Raj representatives. Chief Minister Sai discussed with the officials on giving top priority to technology monitoring system, resource management, plan coordination, fast construction and quick target fulfillment in the upcoming action plan of the department.

Villagers got new support from Niyyad Nellnar Yojana Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Mrs. Niharika Barik informed that under Niyyad Nellnar Yojana 6,324 new job cards have been made under MNREGA in the Gram Panchayats. For the first time, work has started under the scheme in 8 villages of 4 Gram Panchayats of Bastar division. Also, 3,134 members of 913 job card holder families have got employment in MNREGA for the first time. Chief Minister Sai expressed his happiness on organizing a tour program on priority for the youth of the villages included in the Niyyad Nellnar Yojana through Swami Vivekananda Yuva Protsahan Yojana and directed to continue it. Review of works of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai reviewed the progress of the roads being built and proposed in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. He said that Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has an important role in connecting rural areas to the main roads. The Chief Minister directed to complete the construction, repair and maintenance works of these roads in a quality manner within the time limit. He also stressed on completing the works of roads approved under PM Janman Yojana within the stipulated time. It is noteworthy that more than 42 thousand kilometers of roads in the state come under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative is making women economically empowered In the review meeting of the Panchayat Department, the Chief Minister also reviewed the works of Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission. The Chief Minister said that in line with the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to economically empower rural women, women of rural families are being made self-reliant through self-employment under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative. Under the mission, one female member of each family has been linked to beneficial livelihood activities by linking them with self-help groups. New employment opportunities are being created through agriculture, animal husbandry, horticulture and various innovations. Significant increase in the income of rural women is being ensured by making their products available for marketing at state level fairs and online platforms.

Review of the works of Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin Chief Minister Sai reviewed the activities conducted under Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin. He inquired about the ongoing campaigns on solid liquid waste management, garbage disposal, and public awareness towards cleanliness. He reviewed the progress of villages freed from open defecation under ODF Plus and also discussed with the officials on the issues of ease of living and reforms. Chief Minister Sai inquired about the innovative activities related to cleanliness through a PowerPoint presentation and talked about studying the best practices implemented in other states and implementing them in Chhattisgarh as well. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Singh, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Mrs. Niharika Barik Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister P. Dayanand, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Secretary Panchayat Bhim Singh, Special Secretary Panchayat Dharmesh Sahu, Commissioner MNREGA Taran Prakash Sinha and Ms. Jayshree Jain along with departmental officers and employees were present in the meeting.