Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addressing the panchayat representatives and instructing them to how to learn the best practices adopted in other states, with direct benefits for rural development in Chhattisgarh-Photo Credit-CG/PR
Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday January 17 , 2026 flagged off a group of elected representatives of district panchayats from Bastar division for a training-cum-study tour under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
Chief Minister wished the delegates a safe and successful journey, and formally sent off the team by flagging off two buses from the Chief Minister’s residence.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sai said the exposure visit would help panchayat representatives learn about best practices adopted in other states, with direct benefits for rural development in Chhattisgarh. He said the tour is multi-dimensional and will include cultural exchange, interaction, discussions, and sharing of key learnings related to responsibilities of panchayat representatives, innovations and rural development initiatives.
Chief Minister urged the delegates to also share information about Chhattisgarh, particularly Bastar’s identity, including the state’s tourism, culture, people-centric development schemes, good governance and transparent administrative practices, with representatives of other states.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma flagging off two buses from the Chief Minister’s residence for Maharashtra-Photo Credit-CG/PR .
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also extended best wishes to the delegates, stating that such exposure visits would further strengthen the panchayati raj system in the state and help make it more progressive and development-oriented.
Under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana operated by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, elected district panchayat representatives from Bastar division are being sent to Mumbai from January 18 to January 23, 2026, to study Maharashtra’s panchayati raj system.
In the first phase, a total of 60 panchayat representatives and nodal officers are participating in the training-cum-study tour. Along with training sessions, the delegates will also visit model panchayats in Maharashtra. In the coming phases, district panchayat representatives from all divisions of the state will be sent on similar study tours in a phased manner.
MLA Lata Usendi, MLA Motilal Sahu, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Neelu Sharma, Director of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Priyanka Mahobiya and senior officials were present on the occasion.
