CM Sai highlights Bastar's transformation and roadmap to Rs 75 lakh crore economy at NITI Aayog meeting
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday presented the state's long-term development vision at the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog. He highlighted Bastar's transformation, noting that the region, once affected by Maoist violence, is now emerging as a national model for development, employment generation, and self-reliance.
During the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Sai outlined a plan to transform Chhattisgarh into a Rs 75 lakh crore economy by 2047. This goal is to be achieved through the '3T Model': Technology, Transparency, and Transformation. The Chief Minister also stated that this plan aims to increase the state's per capita income tenfold and double the state's GSDP in the next five years.
As part of this long-term development agenda, the government has prepared a comprehensive strategy called the 'Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision Document', which outlines integrated plans for economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability.
Chief Minister Sai emphasised that the state administration is evolving into a more tech-enabled, transparent, and efficient system, with every government scheme digitally tracked to ensure timely and effective service delivery to citizens. He affirmed that this model would not only elevate Chhattisgarh into the league of developed Indian states but also play a key role in advancing India's broader goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
To drive this mission, the state has prioritised 13 key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, IT, tourism, and skill development. Ten focused missions have been launched for effective implementation in these areas.
Speaking on Bastar's transformation, the Chief Minister said the region is now full of opportunities. He shared that skill development centres have been established in Bastar and 32 surrounding blocks, where local youth are receiving training in fields such as computer literacy, healthcare, food processing, and technical trades.
"Today, children who once gathered firewood in the forests are learning to operate machines and use laptops," he remarked.
He further highlighted the surge in investments flowing into the region, noting that the establishment of the country's first semiconductor unit and an AI data centre in Nava Raipur is creating new avenues of employment for the youth of Bastar and the entire state. "Bastar is now poised to become a hub for 'Make in India' – a place where innovation, industry, and opportunity converge," the Chief Minister added.
Addressing the issue of Maoism, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's resolve to make Chhattisgarh completely Naxal-free by March 2026. He noted that comprehensive rehabilitation, skill training, and self-employment programmes are being rolled out for surrendered Naxals.
In Bastar, tribal communities are now gaining access to markets, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, with local products driving new avenues for livelihood.
Bastar's Dhudmaras village has earned international recognition, being named one of the 'Best Tourism Villages' by the United Nations.
The Chief Minister underscored significant strides in infrastructure development, noting that the state's railway network is being expanded from 1,100 km to 2,200 km, while more than Rs 21,000 crore has been invested in upgrading national highways. With the introduction of cargo services at Raipur Airport, Chhattisgarh is now on track to emerge as a key logistics hub in the region.
The state plans to boost its steel production capacity from 28 to 45 million tonnes by 2030 and also scale up power generation to become the first in the country. Chhattisgarh has become the first state in the country to successfully auction a lithium block, an essential resource for electric vehicles and the green energy transition.
Chief Minister Sai informed that the state has introduced more than 350 policy reforms to improve governance.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh fuels India's industry with coal, steel, and cement, while also uplifting rural livelihoods through agriculture, fisheries, and forest produce. Simplified land rights empower tribal families, and tourism creates jobs for women and artisans. Digital governance under the 3T Model ensures speed, transparency, and accountability. With over 350 reforms, the state leads in policy innovation, aligning with PM Modi's vision.
Connectivity is improving through Rs 21,380 crore in road and airport upgrades, while railway expansion is set to double historic coverage by 2030—positioning Chhattisgarh as a key driver of India's inclusive development.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
36 minutes ago
- Time of India
Goats of diverse breeds flood Raja Bazaar market ahead of Bakrid
Patna: With Bakrid just days away, city's Raja Bazaar cattle market witnessed a significant surge in visitors on Thursday as the Muslim faithful purchased goats for qurbani (sacrificial rituals) during the festival on June 7. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sellers, who have come not only from various parts of Bihar but also from other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh with thousands of goats of diverse breeds, were hopeful of selling all the cattle by Friday. "I sold 136 indigenous goats weighing 12-18kg each, priced between Rs 11,000 and Rs 20,000. Only four goats are left. We are sure that we will sell the remaining by Friday. The market was good this year, and we witnessed a huge rush," said Moh Aslam from Begusarai. While on an average the goats are priced between Rs 10,000-12,000, premium specimens fetched Rs 80,000-1.5 lakh, based on their size and breed like Barbari from Etawah, UP, and Totapari from Jaipur, Rajasthan, — highly sought after for their distinctive appearance. Additionally, the market features Jamnapari from UP, Ajmeri from Ajmer, Rajasthan, and various local breeds from several Bihar districts, including Buxar, Begusarai, Bhojpur, Purnia, Kishanganj, Saharsa, Arwal, Jehanabad and Siwan. Nazre Alam, a vendor from Azamgarh's Mubarakpur in UP, said he bought 45 goats, mainly Totapari and Ajmeri breeds. "I sold 43 cattle heads within a week, each in the range of Rs 35,000 to Rs 80,000, weighing 30kg to 45kg. Of the three left, one costs Rs 1.5 lakh, weighing 140kg, while the other two are priced at Rs 95,000 (weighing 80-90 kg)," he said. Mohd Ziaullah Khan, coordinator of the cattle market, said over 200 traders brought around 10,000 sacrificial animals for sale. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Another vendor, Anisur Haque, a resident of Azimabad, who brought two species of goat — Sirohi from Rajasthan and Gujri of northern India — said they cost Rs 80,000 a pair. "They look more appealing predominantly because of their brown coat with dark patches and sturdy build. They weigh 40-45kg," he said.
India Today
37 minutes ago
- India Today
He does this to his dad, Shashi Tharoor quips after son's curveball on Op Sindoor
In a rare and heartwarming moment during India's diplomatic outreach in Washington DC following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor found himself fielding a question from his son, Ishaan senior Tharoor, who is part of an all-party delegation visiting key global capitals to highlight the Pahalgam carnage and India's response to it, was pleasantly surprised when Ishaan - introducing himself jokingly as asking "in a personal capacity and mostly to say hi before you go off for your next engagement" - posed a pointed query about terrorism advertisementAs Ishaan took the mic, Shashi Tharoor smiled and gestured for him to raise it properly before he responded. The question, both timely and probing, was whether any country had asked the Indian delegation for evidence of Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam attack, given Pakistan's repeated denials. "I'm very glad you raised this. I didn't plant it, I promise you. This guy does this to his dad," Tharoor said candidly. He stated that "no one had any doubt," and that the delegation was not asked for evidence by any foreign government. However, he acknowledged that the media in "two or three places" did raise the question."Let me say very clearly that India would not have done this without convincing evidence," he said. Citing three reasons for international understanding, Tharoor highlighted the 37-year pattern of terror attacks originating from Pakistan, each followed by habitual reminded the audience of Pakistan's disavowal of knowledge of Osama bin Laden's whereabouts, even when he was eventually found in a compound adjacent to an army camp in Abbottabad. He also mentioned Pakistan's denial of involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks."So we know what Pakistan's all about. They will dispatch terrorists, they will deny they did so until they're actually caught with red hands," he also dismissed the idea of American mediation between India and Pakistan. The US has, on several occasions, taken credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, with President Donald Trump claiming that he strongarmed the two nuclear nations with the threat of trade and tariffs. India, however, has denied the claim on several occasions. "Mediation is not a term that we are particularly willing to entertain. You're implying an equivalence which simply doesn't exist," he said. He added, "There is no equivalence between terrorists and their victims. There is no equivalence between a country that provides a safe haven to terrorism and a country that's a flourishing multi-party democracy that's trying to get on with its business."Addressing US diplomatic engagement following the attacks, Tharoor said the PM Modi-led government had received calls at high levels from the US, and that India appreciated the concern and interest. However, he said, "They must have been making similar calls at the highest levels to the Pakistan side. Because that's the side that needed persuading to stop this process... But that's guesswork on my part."advertisementReiterating the nature of India's actions in Operation Sindoor, Tharoor drew a sharp contrast between the two nations' conduct. "India hit terror bases in Pakistan, while Pakistan hit civilians in retaliation, since there are no terror bases in India," he asserted. "There are no terrorist organisations in India listed in the UN or the State Department anywhere else. So, what do you hit? You hit civilians, innocent people. That is the asymmetry of this particular conflict."Tharoor said India's response was "precise and calibrated", and stressed that India has "systematically signalled" it is not interested in war with Pakistan. "We're not interested in attacking Pakistani civilians, ordinary people. This is about India versus terrorism," he the question of Chinese military technology and Pakistan's alleged use of it, Tharoor said India responded innovatively and effectively during the conflict. The Thiruvananthapuram MP spoke about China's interest in Pakistan, but added that despite Islamabad's use of Beijing's technology, India was able to manoeuvre its military plans to give a befitting reply to supposed to be something called a kill chain that the Chinese specialise in. We simply did things in a different way. Otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to hit 11 airfields," he explained. He acknowledged the depth of China's investment in Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and said India had "no illusions" about China's strategic stake in on the broader context, Tharoor described the war as "a distraction" for India, but "fundamental" to the Pakistani military's sense of self-importance."There was a lot of chuckling in Delhi," Tharoor remarked wryly, "when the failed general became a field marshal by promoting himself, as you said, with an extra star".Tune InTrending Reel
India Today
37 minutes ago
- India Today
Amit Shah's Kolkata huddle with Bengal BJP top brass sets tone for 2026 poll push
Union Home Minister Amit Shah's recent visit to Kolkata included a closely guarded meeting with senior BJP leaders, signalling a renewed push to wrest control of West Bengal in the 2026 assembly elections. According to sources, Shah held a closed-door session with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and BJP state president Sukanta meeting, lasting over two hours, was centred around fine-tuning the party's roadmap for the high-stakes 294-seat assembly battle, with 148 seats required for a simple majority, sources the meeting, Adhikari submitted a comprehensive report on the BJP's organisational standing across Bengal. Discussions revolved around vote share calculations and electoral arithmetic, with Adhikari reportedly informing Shah that the BJP trails the ruling Trinamool Congress by around 4-5 percent in over 150 seats, based on trends observed between the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls. With the BJP holding a steady 40 percent voter share statewide, Adhikari argued that a swing of just 3-4 percent could enable the party to outpace the TMC in these key constituencies and form the next government.A significant portion of the strategy focusses on strengthening booth-level organisation. West Bengal has close to 80,000 polling booths, of which 14,000 are Muslim-majority areas where the BJP does not currently plan to set up booth the party is concentrating efforts on building robust teams in approximately 57,000 other booths, despite concerns over what leaders describe as an "atmosphere of terror" in several regions, sources said. BJP leaders Bansal and Pandera have reportedly been assigned the task of enhancing their grassroots presence as part of this focused organisational from the political strategy session, Shah also addressed a gathering of around 150 saints at Swami Vivekananda's house, where he outlined a broader ideological framework for the BJP's Bengal he avoided naming specific nations, Shah reportedly spoke of the need for a distinctly Indian "national mindset," in contrast to neighbouring countries - a comment widely interpreted as a reference to Bangladesh. He emphasised that the party's Bengal strategy is not just political but also linked to national security behind-the-scenes meetings and the ideological outreach are seen by insiders as key components of the BJP's evolving campaign architecture aimed at consolidating its base and expanding its appeal across a politically charged Watch
