Kumar Bahukhandi
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses a high-level review meeting of District Panchayat Chief Executive Officers at SIRD, Nava Raipur on Monday July 27, 2026 . Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma (right) and other senior officials are seen during the meeting.-Photo Credit-channel24india.com via CG/PR
CM directs District Panchayat CEOs to ensure last-mile delivery of flagship schemes, strengthen Gram Panchayats, and promote sustainable rural development
Raipur: Emphasising that the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh can only be achieved through the holistic development of villages, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday called upon District Panchayat Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) to transform Gram Panchayats into engines of social change, economic prosperity, and self-reliant rural development.
Addressing a high-level review meeting and workshop of CEOs of all District Panchayats at the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Nimora, Nava Raipur, the Chief Minister said good governance is measured by how effectively government schemes reach the last person without discrimination.
“Gram Panchayats should not remain mere implementing agencies of government programmes. They must emerge as centres of community participation, sustainable development, and self-reliant rural economies,” he said.
Focus on Last-Mile Governance
The Chief Minister stressed that the success of any welfare scheme lies in ensuring its benefits reach every eligible citizen. He directed officials to identify villages that could serve as model development centres through public participation, efficient utilisation of local resources, and effective implementation of government programmes.
He urged officers to work with sensitivity, integrity, and a service-oriented approach to strengthen public trust in governance.
Boost to Rural Economy Through Viksit Bharat Ji Ram Ji Yojana
Referring to the Viksit Bharat Ji Ram Ji Yojana, launched on July 1, the Chief Minister described it as a major initiative to strengthen the rural economy. He instructed officials to prioritise employment generation, creation of durable community assets, and quality infrastructure under the scheme.
The programme, he said, would accelerate work related to water conservation, agriculture, rural infrastructure, livelihood generation, and community assets. He also warned that there would be no compromise on the quality of construction works.
Water Conservation Must Remain a Priority
The Chief Minister underlined that rural development extends beyond physical infrastructure. He called for district-specific plans focusing on water conservation, soil health, agricultural productivity, animal husbandry, fisheries, and scientific management of natural resources.
Officials were instructed to promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge according to local geographical conditions.
Women Empowerment Through ‘Lakhpati Didi’
Highlighting the state’s achievements in women empowerment, the Chief Minister said that more than 10.40 lakh women in Chhattisgarh have already become Lakhpati Didis. The government now aims to help many of them progress towards becoming Crorepati Didis through entrepreneurship, skill development, and self-employment initiatives.
He directed district officials to identify eligible women and connect them with self-help groups, livelihood programmes, skill development initiatives, and opportunities arising from the state’s new industrial policy.
Development to Reach Bastar’s Remote Villages
Special emphasis was placed on accelerating development in the remote areas of Bastar Division. The Chief Minister said roads, electricity, housing, drinking water, education, healthcare, and food security are now reaching villages that were once difficult to access.
“Our objective is to ensure that the light of development reaches every last village and every citizen,” he remarked.
Time-Bound Implementation of Welfare Schemes
The Chief Minister instructed officials to expedite construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and ensure timely benefits to all eligible beneficiaries.
He also directed that pensions under social security schemes and other welfare payments must be released without delay, while strengthening monitoring mechanisms at the Panchayat level.
Promoting the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, he called for widespread awareness campaigns to encourage rural households to adopt solar energy and maximise the use of solar pumps and renewable energy solutions.
Lessons from Hivare Bazar Model
Drawing inspiration from Padma Shri Popatrao Pawar’s transformation of Maharashtra’s Hivare Bazar, the Chief Minister said that determination, honest leadership, and public participation can completely transform a village.
Recalling his first meeting with Popatrao Pawar in 1999 during his initial tenure as a Member of Parliament, Sai said the Hivare Bazar experience continues to serve as a model for rural development across the country.
He also encouraged officials to study successful rural development models such as Nanaji Deshmukh’s Deendayal Research Institute at Chitrakoot and Dr. Achyuta Samanta’s education-driven social transformation initiatives in Odisha, while developing district-specific models suited to local conditions.
Hivare Bazar’s Journey of Transformation
Addressing the workshop, Padma Shri Popatrao Pawar explained how Hivare Bazar transformed itself from a drought-prone, migration-hit village in 1989 into one of India’s most successful rural development models through water conservation, community participation, disciplined governance, and scientific resource management.
Today, the village has eliminated migration and poverty, produces nearly 5,000 litres of milk daily, and has achieved a per capita annual income of around ₹9 lakh, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Richa Sharma, Panchayat and Rural Development Secretary Bhim Singh, Director Priyanka Rishi Mahobiya, retired IAS officer Amarjeet Sinha, District Panchayat CEOs from across the state, and senior officials attended the workshop.
