- Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all of you on the 80th Independence Day…
This sacred festival of Independence Day is a day to venerate Mother India. Today, we pay homage to all those great sons of Mother India who sacrificed their all for the nation’s freedom. Today is a day to draw inspiration from the nation’s glorious journey of unity and integrity and strengthen our illustrious Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s resolve for a developed India.
India’s great freedom struggle is an immortal saga of the sacrifice and martyrdom of countless freedom fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Veer Savarkar.
On this auspicious occasion of Independence, we pay our respectful homage to the struggles of Dharti Aba Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Martyr Veer Narayan Singh, and Veer Gundadhur. The memory of our heroes like Gend Singh, Dhurva Rao, Yadav Rao, Venkat Rao, Debari Dhur, and Ayatu Mahara will always inspire us.
Goswami Tulsidas ji has written that “There is no happiness even in dreams in the dependent state.” The words of Saint Kabir and the proclamation of Baba Guru Ghasidas ji, “Manke-Manke Ek Saman,” gave voice to the struggle for independence.
This year marks the 125th birth anniversary of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee. He fought for the removal of Article 370 from Kashmir. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Article 370 was removed from Jammu and Kashmir. We have also taken steps towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Chhattisgarh.
This anniversary of Independence Day has brought many unprecedented achievements. Under the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the pledge of a Naxal-free India has been fulfilled. Today, the entire nation salutes the valor and martyrdom of our brave soldiers who uprooted left-wing extremism.
Freed from Maoism, people in every corner of Bastar are celebrating independence through Tiranga Yatra.
The all-round development of Bastar is one of the biggest goals of the double-engine government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. A living example of this is the 26th meeting of the national-level Central Regional Council held in Jagdalpur, attended by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah and the Chief Ministers of four states.
Now is the golden time to rebuild Bastar. Through “Niyad Nella Naar 2.0” and “Bastar Munne Abhiyan,” we are taking development initiatives to the next level. With 100% coverage of 31 schemes and 14 community facilities, we are benefiting over 3.9 million people in the Bastar division.
We have reopened schools in Bastar that were closed due to Naxalite violence. We have also approved 36 new schools. We are developing education cities in remote areas like Orchha and Jagargunda.
Through ‘Chief Minister Swasth Bastar Abhiyan’, we have conducted health check-up of more than 34 lakh people of Bastar and prepared their health profiles.
Currently, 85% of families in Bastar have a monthly income of less than ₹15,000. A ₹4,824 crore “Livelihood Upgradation Scheme” has been developed to increase the income of approximately 1 million families.
Security camps are now becoming centers of service and development. The Seva Dera, started in Veer Gundadhur’s village of Netanar, promotes skills development and entrepreneurship, along with providing civic amenities.
A strong infrastructure foundation is being laid in Bastar. We are connecting 461 solar-powered villages to a grid-based system. We are building roads to connect 234 remote settlements to the main road.
We have launched the “Chief Minister Rural Bus Service” to provide public transportation to remote villages. This service is benefiting 814 villages in the Bastar and Surguja divisions.
The effective implementation of Modi’s guarantees has brought prosperity to the lives of every section of society, in keeping with the spirit of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”
Our farmers are the architects of our destiny. Their happiness, prosperity, and respect are our top priorities. We are paying them the highest price for paddy in the country, at Rs. 3,100 per quintal and 21 quintals per acre. We paid our farmers a lump sum under the “Krishak Unnati Yojana” before Holi.
We are encouraging crop diversification. Under the “Farmer Advancement Scheme,” we have decided to provide input assistance of 15,000 rupees for crops such as pulses, oilseeds, maize, kodo, kutki, and finger millet instead of paddy.
We have made it a top priority to ensure timely supply of fertilizers and seeds to our farmers. Despite global uncertainties affecting fertilizer supplies, we have ensured a fertilizer crisis in Chhattisgarh.
In keeping with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Prosperity through Cooperation,” we have computerized 2,028 PACS in the state. Of these, 1,988 PACS also serve as Common Service Centers.
Taking forward the vision of respected Atal ji to save every drop of water by linking rivers, we have given administrative approval of Rs 3,047 crore for the ‘Sikasar-Kodar Canal Linking Project’.
To expand irrigation coverage in the state, we have approved more than 11,000 crore rupees. We are reviving defunct irrigation projects through the Atal Irrigation Scheme. The Matnar and Deurgaon barrages will be constructed on the Indravati River at a cost of 2,000 crore rupees, providing irrigation facilities to 32,000 hectares.
We are paying tendu leaf collectors a remuneration of five and a half thousand rupees per standard bag. We have also relaunched the “Charan Paduka Scheme” for tendu leaf collectors.
During Sushasan Tihar, villagers invited me for house warming ceremony, we have fulfilled their dreams, the smile on their faces is our biggest achievement.
We haven’t stopped for a single day to fulfill our commitment to provide housing to everyone under Modi’s guarantee. After approving 1.8 million homes in the first cabinet meeting, we have now approved 2.45 million homes. An average of 1,600 homes are being built every day in the state.
Free food grains are being provided to 73 lakh families through ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ and ‘Chief Minister Foodgrain Assistance Scheme’ dedicated to the poor families of the country.
We are receiving abundant blessings from our mothers and sisters. Through the “Mahtari Vandan Yojana,” 19,444 crore rupees have been transferred to the accounts of 7 million beneficiary women. This makes them self-sufficient in meeting even the smallest needs of themselves and their children.
When the Prime Minister entered the Seva Teerth, he set the goal for the country of creating 60 million “Lakhpati Didis.” I am pleased that 1.385 million women in the state have already become “Lakhpati Didis.”
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s “PM Janman Yojana” has provided basic amenities to over 56,000 PVTG families. The “Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Elevation Campaign” is benefiting 6,691 tribal-dominated villages.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 93 roads in tribal areas have been completed in the last two and a half years, which had been incomplete for many years. Under the PM Janman Yojana, 1788 kilometers of roads have been completed, the highest in the country.
Chhattisgarh is a leader in the country in providing forest rights certificates. We have initiated the process of transferring leases to heirs. We have formed a task force for the effective implementation of the PESA Act.
Illegal religious conversions pose a serious challenge to our society, especially tribal culture and social fabric. We have enacted the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act to curb this practice.
Swami Vivekananda used to say, “Give me 100 energetic young people, and I will transform India.” This statement expresses his unwavering faith in youth power. To increase youth participation in building a developed Chhattisgarh, we are opening new doors of opportunities, from employment to innovation.
We have made historic reforms to ensure complete transparency in competitive examinations. We have established the Chhattisgarh Staff Selection Board for recruitment to Class III and Class IV positions. Recruitment examinations will be held regularly in seven categories. We have also passed strict laws in the Assembly to prevent unfair means and cheating in examinations.
We have recruited 7,000 young people into the police force. We have initiated the recruitment process for 3,946 teacher and assistant teacher positions through the Chhattisgarh Employees Selection Board. The largest recruitment drive to date is underway for 1,235 positions in power companies.
A large number of students from our Eklavya and Prayas residential schools have successfully passed this year’s NEET exam. We are launching the “CG Assistance for Competitive Exams Scheme” to assist students in preparing for NEET, JEE, CLAT, Railway, SSC, Banking, PSC, and UPSC exams.
We have taken a major decision regarding the employment of fire warriors. Fire warriors from Chhattisgarh who have completed four years of military service will be given 10 percent reservation in direct recruitment for police constables, forest guards, and jail guards.
Our new industrial policy is opening new doors of employment and entrepreneurship for youth. The new policy provides special incentives to both core sectors and emerging sectors. To ensure that these benefits reach young people, we are upgrading 30 ITIs under PM Setu. After the monsoon season, we will organize employment fairs at the district and state levels.
Under the ‘Chhattisgarh Startup Promotion Policy’, we have created a startup fund of Rs 100 crore to encourage innovations by youth.
We have adopted the National Education Policy to ensure our educational institutions encourage new ideas and prepare young people for the new era. We have brought institutions like the Forensic University Campus, NIFT, and NIELIT to the state.
Starting this semester, we are opening five medical colleges in Geedam, Kunkuri, Janjgir-Champa, Manendragarh, and Kawardha. We are developing six government engineering and polytechnic colleges into CGITs.
We have approved the ₹500 crore “Chhattisgarh State AI Mission.” Under this initiative, 100 AI data labs, five centers of excellence, and more than 50 AI-based services will be developed. Six lakh students and 150,000 government employees will be trained in AI.
We are revamping the sports infrastructure and launching the ‘Chief Minister Sports Excellence Mission’ so that the players of our state can hoist the tricolor on the global stage.
We have decided to promote Chhattisgarh’s daughter, Gyaneshwari Yadav, who brought glory to the nation by winning a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, to the rank of DSP and award her an honorarium of ₹30 lakh. We have opened the doors of government service to 156 outstanding athletes from the state.
We got the opportunity to host the country’s first Khelo India Tribal Games, the games were good and it was decided that these games would be organised in Chhattisgarh next year.
We are also moving rapidly towards achieving our health and social security goals. Through the Ayushman Yojana, we are providing free medical treatment to 91 percent of the state’s population. We are building a Medicity in Nava Raipur, where renowned hospitals from across the country will operate.
Strengthening the health infrastructure has increased institutional deliveries in the state to 96.2 percent. Better health services are being provided in emergency situations through 326 Sanjeevani Express and 380 Mahatari Express ambulance services.
To facilitate industries, we passed the Ease of Doing Business Bill. We implemented the One Click Single Window System, which allows necessary permissions to be obtained within a stipulated time through a portal. With the implementation of the Public Trust Act, doing business has become easier.
To attract investors through the new industrial policy, we have organized investor connects across the country and the world. So far, we have received investment proposals worth ₹8.23 lakh crore. This is expected to create 1.74 lakh employment opportunities.
Through this policy, investment is being made in sectors like textiles that generate large-scale employment. The groundbreaking ceremony for Swift Textiles, the state’s first garment unit, took place in Nava Raipur. This will provide employment to over 4,600 youth.
A Bharat Earth Movers Limited plant will be established in Mungeli. We are going to establish 23 new industrial areas in the state.
We are moving forward towards setting up Electronic Manufacturing Cluster 2.0 in Rajnandgaon, Furniture Cluster in Nava Raipur and Smart Industrial Parks in Janjgir-Champa and Rajnandgaon.
We are creating the country’s first AI SEZ. An AI data center is also being established. We have created a State Capital Region encompassing Raipur, Nava Raipur, and Durg-Bhilai.
To meet future energy needs, we are developing long-term strategies across all three fronts: generation, transmission, and distribution. We held an Energy Summit, where we received investment proposals worth over ₹350,000 crore, which are currently under development.
Due to financial difficulties, many consumers were not able to pay their electricity bills during the Corona period. We waived off surcharge of Rs 910 crore for more than 12 lakh consumers through the ‘Chief Minister Electricity Bill Payment Solution Scheme’.
To expand the infrastructure of the power transmission company and adopt modern technology, we have decided to bring IPO.
More than 90,000 consumers in the state are taking advantage of the “Prime Minister’s Free Electricity for Homes Scheme.” Subsidies from both the central government and our government have made this scheme even more attractive.
Bharatmala roads are connecting us to major commercial centers across the country. The Raipur-Visakhapatnam Expressway and the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor will elevate the state’s development to new heights. Work on rail networks like the Raoghat-Jagdalpur will accelerate Bastar’s progress.
Through the “CG Air Plan,” we are expanding air service to all major airports in the state. We are establishing Flying Training Organizations to build an aviation training infrastructure in the state.
To expand connectivity in remote and inaccessible areas, 829 mobile towers have been installed in the state in two and a half years. Through the ‘BharatNet 3.0’ scheme, 5,659 gram panchayats will be connected to high-speed internet.
Through ‘Adarsh Shahar Samriddhi Yojana’ we are working to make the life of citizens in 32 municipalities and Nagar Panchayats easy and safe.
While addressing infrastructure needs and rapid economic growth, we are also paying close attention to environmental protection. Under the Prime Minister’s “One Tree for Mother” campaign, we have planted more than 70 million trees so far.
Our government follows the path of good governance shown by Atal ji. We have adopted a transparent e-office system.
We have launched the “CM Helpline 1076.” Through this service, we have resolved over 80,000 complaints so far. More than 700 government services are being made available online through the “Seva Setu Portal.”
We are building smart registration offices. We have implemented auto-mutation while also implementing several reforms in the registry.
We have started ‘Sughghar Chhattisgarh Abhiyan’, in which the benefits of 31 schemes are being given in saturation mode in those districts which are not included in ‘Niyad Nella Naar Yojana’.
Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the launch of the “Developed India-Ji Ram Ji Yojana” has opened a new chapter of employment and development. On this auspicious occasion, we are launching a new campaign, “My Daughter, My Pride.” Under this initiative, toilets will be built for girls in 6,671 government schools. Under the “VB-Ji Ram Ji Yojana,” crematoriums and waiting rooms will be constructed in 6,524 villages across the state.
We have established ‘Atal Panchayat Digital Suvidha Kendra’ in 7,524 Gram Panchayats, through which villagers are able to easily avail digital and banking services.
Strong law and order is a prerequisite for good governance. The implementation of new criminal laws in the state has effectively controlled crime. To address the serious challenge of cybercrime, nine new cyber police stations have been established in the state. The Dial 112 service has been implemented throughout the state.
We will rapidly develop tourism facilities in Bastar and Surguja through the “Chief Minister’s Tourism Mission.” Events like the Bastar Olympics, Surguja Olympics, and Bastar Pandum have promoted the state’s tribal culture, sports, and natural beauty to the nation and the world. The President also honored tribal talents from Bastar by inviting them to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
We are developing Chitrakoot as a global tourist destination and will construct a tent city there. We are also developing Sirpur to the standards of a World Heritage Site.
Folk culture is our invaluable heritage. We have decided to preserve the legacy of the late Dr. Teejan Bai, a Padma Vibhushan-awarded folk singer, by awarding her the “Dr. Teejan Bai Folk Art Award.” We are building “Chitrotpala Film City” for the all-round development of Chhattisgarhi cinema.
We have declared a public holiday on the birth anniversary of Sant Shiromani Guru Ravidas Ji. A state decoration award will also be given in his name.
The results of the historical excavations conducted in Rewan, Arang, are encouraging. A 2750-year-old human settlement has been discovered here. This discovery is a direct testament to the historical and ancient cultural richness of Chhattisgarh.
We are fortunate to have been able to enable over 49,000 devotees to visit Ram Lalla through the “Ramlala Ayodhya Dham Darshan Yojana.” Through the “Chief Minister Teerth Darshan Yojana,” we have also enabled over 10,000 devotees to visit the country’s major pilgrimage sites.
A developed India and a developed Chhattisgarh are our collective goals. The Rig Veda has a mantra:
- “Sangcchadhvam, sam vaddhvam, sam vo manansi janatam”
Let us all walk together in accordance with this Vedic mantra, united in mind and thoughts, to achieve this higher goal.
- Once again, many happy wishes to all of you on Independence Day.
- Jai Hind, Jai Chhattisgarh.
