Plans underway to bring milk production and irrigation to Bastar, provide jobs to youth, and give villages a new identity-Vishnu Deo Sai

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents vision for a developed Chhattisgarh at NITI Aayog meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday June 11, 2026 -Photo Credit -CG/PR

In Short

• Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presents vision for a developed Chhattisgarh at NITI Aayog meeting

• Major pledge to double incomes in Bastar: Target set to raise every family’s income to ₹30,000 per month within three years

New Delhi : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai presented a new vision of a Naxalism-free Bastar to the nation during the 11th meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday June 11, 2026 . He stated that Bastar, having endured decades of violence, is now set to become a model for economic resurgence, employment, education, tourism, and agriculture-based development, Sai added.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister presented a comprehensive action plan to double the income of tribal families in Bastar, usher in a “milk revolution,” expand irrigation facilities across 32,000 hectares, develop tourism into a major industry, and boost investment in modern sectors like AI and semiconductors. He noted that rapid progress is being made to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state, in alignment with the “Viksit Bharat 2047” (Developed India 2047) vision.
Union Ministers, Chief Ministers of various states, Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories, the Vice-Chairman and members of NITI Aayog, and senior officials attended the meeting held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Chief Minister Sai stated that Bastar is moving towards a new identity. Efforts are being made to boost milk production, plans are being formulated to bring water to farmlands, digital health facilities are reaching villages, and continuous efforts are underway to connect the youth with employment opportunities.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai along with Union ministers and Chief ministers of various States posed for a photograph during the 11th meeting of the NITI Aayog Governing Council, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday June 11, 2026 -Photo Credit -CG/PR

He informed that a target has been set to raise the monthly income of families in Bastar to ₹30,000 over the next three years. Currently, approximately 85 percent of families in Bastar earn less than ₹15,000 per month. The government is working to strengthen the economic status of rural families through agriculture, animal husbandry, forest produce, small-scale industries, and various welfare schemes, CM Sai continued .

The Chief Minister added that the “dairy model” is being rapidly implemented in Bastar. Under this initiative, a plan has been formulated to provide milch cows and buffaloes to tribal families. The objective is to create a sustainable source of income in the villages. This initiative will generate employment for women and youth and boost new economic activities in villages, such as dairy centers, milk collection, transportation, and local markets.

He mentioned that two major projects, costing over ₹2,000 crore, are being launched to enhance irrigation facilities. These projects will provide irrigation coverage to an area of ​​32,000 hectares. The year-round availability of water in the Indravati river region will improve agriculture and boost production, enabling farmers to cultivate vegetables, fruits, and other cash crops alongside paddy.

The Chief Minister stated that digital health profiles for approximately 36 lakh people are being created to strengthen healthcare services in the remote areas of Bastar. This will ensure the secure maintenance of records regarding patient treatment, illnesses, and medications, while providing doctors with timely and accurate information. Rural areas, women, and the elderly will benefit the most from this initiative.

He informed that approximately 200 security camps established in Bastar are now being developed into “Seva Dera” (Service Hubs). Through these centers, villagers are being provided access to benefits from 371 Central and State government schemes—including rations, pensions, Ayushman cards, banking, healthcare, and education—all under one roof.

The Chief Minister said that the government is developing Chitrakot and the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sirpur into world-class tourist destinations. Activities such as water sports, adventure sports, and jungle safaris are being expanded in Bastar, while work is underway in Sirpur on a Global Meditation Center, a museum, and the development of the Mahanadi riverfront.

He noted that tourism has the potential to become a major source of employment. Tourist arrivals generate jobs for those in the hotel and transport sectors, as well as for guides, artisans, shopkeepers, and local entrepreneurs. Developing Bastar into a global tourism hub will increase employment and self-employment opportunities for thousands of young people.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the Chhattisgarh government is rapidly advancing development driven by investment, good governance, and technology. A total of 435 reforms have been implemented in the state, and a favorable investment climate has been created by strengthening the single-window system. He mentioned that two state-of-the-art semiconductor units are being established in the state.

He stated that a new model of development is being formulated for Bastar, focusing on education, health, skill development, and digital technology. ‘Education Cities’ are being developed in Abujhmad and Jagargunda at a cost of ₹100 crore. Additionally, quality education is being provided to children through 341 PM-SHRI schools, 5,857 smart classrooms, and bilingual books available in 16 local languages.

The Chief Minister noted that over 33 lakh farmers have been linked to digital services under the AgriStack scheme. Government services have been made more transparent and accessible through the ‘Digital Dwar’ platform and the ‘Atal Monitoring Portal’.

He stated that the government has launched AI, tourism, sports, infrastructure, and ‘Startup-Nipun’ missions to build a developed Chhattisgarh. These missions will provide the youth with new opportunities in employment, technology, and entrepreneurship, while positioning Chhattisgarh among the leading states for innovation and investment.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai noted that industry, investment, and exports in Chhattisgarh have gained new momentum under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative. New industries are being established in sectors such as sports equipment, semiconductors, electronics, bio-ethanol, garments, and textiles, thereby increasing employment opportunities. Incentives are also being provided to green industries to promote environmental conservation.

He highlighted that the ‘One District-One Product’ (ODOP) scheme is enabling local products from the state to access national and international markets. Exports worth ₹761.76 crore were recorded in the 2025-26 financial year (up to February 2026), with aromatic rice making the most significant contribution. This is leading to increased incomes for farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai remarked,