Panchayati Raj institutions are the backbone of rural development – ​​Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai

Chief Minister attended the inauguration of 03-day training program for newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents

Raipur 5 July 2025: Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai attended the inauguration of the three-day basic/orientation training program for newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents organized at Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute located at Nimora in the capital Raipur. Addressing the program, Chief Minister Sai said that Panchayati Raj Institutions are the backbone of rural development. As newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents, all of you have a great opportunity and great responsibility. If there is strong willpower, even one person can change the picture of the entire district. Chief Minister Sai said that the people themselves take forward those who serve the people with a spirit of public welfare. Sharing the experience of his political life, he said that I also started my political journey as a Panch. I never thought that I would come into politics. After the death of my father at the age of 10, the responsibility of the entire family came on my shoulders. My whole life was spent in struggle. I had never imagined that I would become a Sarpanch, but I got the blessings of the people, which gave me the opportunity to serve as MLA, MP and Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Sai said that willpower is more important than resources to achieve something. Even a single person can achieve great success with the thought of working in public interest. He said that among the inspiring people whose public service works I had the opportunity to see closely, I would like to mention Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Nanaji Deshmukh of Odisha. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, who grew up in poverty, took a pledge to serve the people throughout his life and established a big educational institution in Bhubaneswar. In this institute, he is providing free education to about 25 thousand tribal children. Similarly, in Chitrakoot, Nanaji Deshmukh adopted 500 villages through Deendayal Upadhyaya Research Institute and worked for their all-round development. When I went there in 2006-07, I came to know that so far they have made 80 villages self-reliant. In these villages, work was done to make every family economically strong. These examples tell us how big a change even a single person can bring. The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is a prosperous state in every respect. Forests cover 44 percent of the land here. The soil here is fertile and the farmers are hardworking. Naxalism was a big obstacle in the development of Chhattisgarh, which we are eliminating. We have made an excellent rehabilitation policy for the Naxalites who are surrendering. Soon the state will be Naxal-free and all facilities including roads, electricity, water will be available in Bastar.

Chief Minister Sai, while sharing his experience of Muller village of Bastar division, said that the tribals of this area had to travel 25 kms on foot for ration, which used to take three days. It can be imagined how much this area was behind in development. We decided to make Muller a separate panchayat and opened a ration shop there. When I went there, the happiness of the people was clearly visible on their faces. The Chief Minister told the newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents that without developing the villages, we cannot make a developed Chhattisgarh. Take full advantage of this time of training. Always keep in mind that there should be no compromise on the quality of development works. Visit your areas regularly. Travel and inspection bring administrative tightness and give impetus to development works.

Addressing the program, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that prepare yourself fully to do better work as the President and Vice President of the District Panchayat. Have in-depth knowledge of the legal provisions related to Panchayati Raj. For the development of the village, not only construction work, but also constantly think about other possibilities. Economic progress of the village is ensured by activities like milk production. Economic prosperity in the village gives a new direction to the youth and they stay away from addictions. During this training program, you should also reflect on the working form of the Gram Panchayat. Understand all the processes related to the Panchayati Raj Institution well, so that you can do better work in the interest of the public. One lakh seventy thousand people of all levels associated with the Panchayati Raj Institutions will be trained here. Today it is starting with all of you. In the program, the Chief Minister released PESA: Panchayat Provisions and Chhattisgarh Panchayat Provision Guide, Panchman Magazine and reading material for District Panchayat President, Vice President and Members. The Chief Minister also planted a Maulshree plant in the premises of Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute. On this occasion, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Niharika Barik Singh, Secretary Bhim Singh, Director Priyanka Rishi Mahobia and Director of Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute P.C. Mishra were present.