"Transformative opportunity": Chhattisgarh CM lauds decision to hold next Central Zonal Council meet in Bastar
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 25 (ANI): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday lauded the decision to hold the next meeting of the Central Zonal Council in Chhattisgarh's Bastar.
The decision to hold the next meeting in Bastar was announced during the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council held in Varanasi on Tuesday, where it was decided that the next session of the Council will take place in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
Welcoming the move, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai remarked that the decision to hold the Council meeting in Bastar is not only a matter of immense pride for the region but also a 'transformative opportunity'. With the unwavering support of the Central Government, Bastar is set to redefine its identity, not as a land of conflict, but as a land of possibilities and progress, he added.
Officials expressed hope that by the time the next Council convenes, Bastar would have witnessed decisive progress in the ongoing efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism. With this forward-looking approach, the region is being envisioned as a future model of peace, resilience, and inclusive growth, as per a statement.
Meanwhile, a total of 19 issues were discussed in the 25th meeting of the Central Zonal Council, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
These issues included several matters of national importance, the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for the speedy investigation and prompt disposal of rape cases against women and children, provision of brick-and-mortar banking facilities within the designated radius of every village, and implementation of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.
In the meeting, the Home Minister suggested that 'all states of the Zonal Council should ensure the eradication of child malnutrition, bring the dropout ratio down to zero, and strengthen the cooperative sector.' The Home Minister also urged the member states to increase the income of Gram Panchayats and to formulate rules for this purpose.
He said that enhancing the income of Panchayats would make India's three-tier democratic Panchayati Raj system more effective The meeting was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Senior ministers from the member states, the Union Home Secretary, the Secretary of the Inter-State Council Secretariat, Chief Secretaries of the member states, and other senior officials from the states and central ministries and departments also participated in the meeting. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Kumaraswamy meets Gadkari, seeks Centre's support for Karnataka road projects, ET Infra
Advt Push for Shiradi Ghat completion, highway upgrades Upgrading the NH-75 Kunigal section Declaring the Channarayapatna–Makutta road (State Highway 8) as a National Highway Converting the Jewargi–Shorapur route into a 4-lane road Addressing landslide-prone stretches at Shirur Ghat (NH-66), Shiradi Ghat (NH-75), and Bargi Ghat Constructing a flyover at Jogihalli in Tumakuru district Building a railway overbridge at Gijjalagere Gate (NH-275) in Mandya district Constructing a ring road (southern bypass) around Mandya city Preparing a DPR for a bypass to Pandavapura town from km 595.260 on NH-275 via NH-150A Advt By , ETInfra Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy , met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari , on Tuesday to discuss infrastructure proposals for Karnataka, including a proposed underground road network and the Peripheral Ring Road in the meeting at Gadkari's residence in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy raised concerns over increasing traffic congestion in Bengaluru and sought the Centre's assistance for implementing new road systems aimed at connecting key zones in the said the rapid population growth in Bengaluru has led to rising congestion and stressed the need for a new road network and ring road system. He added that these projects could help decongest the city centre and enable more sustainable urban was reportedly receptive to the also urged the Minister to expedite work on the Shiradi Ghat Road Project , a key route linking Bengaluru to Mangaluru. He flagged the slow pace of construction, saying it has impacted connectivity and caused disruptions for travellers and freight further sought Centre's intervention in other ongoing or proposed highway projects across the state. These include:Kumaraswamy also thanked Gadkari for the completion of the Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway and the Bengaluru–Chennai National Highway.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Those who had strangled Constitution are now trying to become its protector: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
Asserting that the "dark days of Emergency" should not be forgotten, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) lashed out at the Congress, stating that those who had "strangled the Constitution are today trying to become its protector." He made a post on X on the occasion of 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' (the day on which Constitution was murdered) to commemorate the imposition of the nearly two-year-long Emergency by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975. "As we mark 50 years of this brutal episode, India pays tribute to the brave men and women who stood firm to uphold the Constitution during those dark times," Mr. Sarma said in the post. "It was solely due to their courageous efforts and valiant sacrifices that the Congress party was brought to its knees — marking the end of a shameful chapter in our history," he added. Mr. Sarma said those who had "strangled the Constitution are today becoming its protectors." Emergency was bid to end multi-party democracy, says Amit Shah "25 June ~ reminds us of the darkest chapter of Indian democracy. Never forget the dark days of the #Emergency," he added. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had last year announced that the Modi government would observe June 25 as the 'Samvidhaan Hatya Diwas' to commemorate the "massive contributions" of those who endured "inhuman pain" during the period.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Bihar to get its first nuclear power plant as part of national SMR rollout
Bihar will be among the first six states in India will get its first atomic plant under the country's new Nuclear Energy Mission. On Tuesday, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a Small Modular Reactor (SMR)-based nuclear power plant in the state following the Centre's approval. The announcement comes ahead of assembly election in Bihar and comes after a meeting of eastern region power ministers, which included representatives from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He confirmed that the Centre had accepted Bihar's request for a nuclear plant, stating: 'If the Bihar government sets up a nuclear power plant, the Central Government is fully prepared to provide support.' Khattar added that Bihar had formally requested such a facility and the Centre would assist in its establishment. Details regarding the site and scale of the plant are expected to be finalised in the coming stages of project development. Announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 with a Rs 20,000 crore allocation, the Nuclear Energy Mission aims at expanding clean and reliable nuclear power across the country and strengthen regional energy security. 'The government's goal is to set up at least one nuclear power plant in every state to ensure the country's energy security,' the Union Power Minister said adding: 'As the country's growth rate increases, so does electricity demand. Nuclear power is a reliable, sustainable, and long-term energy option.' SMRs are a newer generation of nuclear technology designed to be more flexible and cost-effective than traditional large-scale reactors, experts say. They can be deployed in smaller grids and are considered safer due to their advanced design. Khattar also said that the government has prepared a comprehensive power vision for 2035, covering thermal, solar, wind, storage, and nuclear energy projects. The decision is part of a broader policy effort to diversify India's energy mix and address rising electricity demand with advanced nuclear technology. For Bihar, which has historically struggled with power deficits and infrastructure challenges, the project represents a significant shift. Officials say the plant could help provide a more stable electricity supply and support the state's industrial ambitions. Alongside the nuclear plant, the Centre has also approved a 1,000 MW battery storage capacity project in Bihar, aimed at enhancing grid stability and supporting renewable energy integration. The government will provide viability gap funding of Rs 18 lakh per MW for this initiative. This focus on battery storage comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Siwan on June 20, laid the foundation stone for a 500 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in Bihar. Union Power Minister Khattar, while making the SMR announcement, also praised the Bihar government for its recent progress in the power sector, noting the installation of eight million smart meters and a significant reduction in technical and commercial losses. 'Bihar was lagging behind in power sector but it has done a considerably good job,' he added. The Union minister further assured that, in recognition of these reforms, the Centre has agreed to supply Bihar with an additional 500 MW of electricity for the next six months to help meet peak summer demand, and that states facing power shortages would be provided adequate supply from the central quota.
