Panchayati Raj Institutions are the backbones of rural development – ​​Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai…

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai Addressing a Three-Day basic/orientation training program for the newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents-Photo Credit-CG/PR

Chief Minister attended the inauguration of the 03-day training program for the newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the inauguration of the three-day basic/orientation training program for the newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents organised at Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute located at Nimora in the capital Raipur on Saturday July 5, 2025 .

Addressing the program, Chief Minister Sai said that Panchayati Raj Institutions are the backbones of rural development. As newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents, all of you have a great opportunity and great responsibility. If there is strong willpower, even one person can change the scenario of the entire district.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai , Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Principal Secretary for the departments of Panchayat and Rural Development Niharika Barik Singh with other concerned officials and newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and vice-Presidents -Photo Credit-CG/PR

Chief Minister Sai said that the people themselves push forward those who serve the public with a spirit of their welfare. Sharing the experience of his political life, he said that I also started my political journey as a Panch. I never thought that I would come into politics. After my father passed away when I was 10 years old, the responsibility of the entire family fell on my shoulders. My entire life was spent in struggle. I had never imagined that I would become a Sarpanch, but I got the blessings of the people, which gave me the opportunity to serve as MLA, MP and Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Sai said that willpower is more important than resources to achieve something. Even a single person can achieve great things with the thought of working in public interest. He said that among the inspiring people whose public service work I had the opportunity to see closely, I would like to mention Dr. Achyuta Samanta and Nanaji Deshmukh of Odisha. Dr. Achyuta Samanta, who grew up in poverty, took a pledge to serve the people throughout his life and established a big educational institution in Bhubaneswar. In this institution, he is providing free education to about 25 thousand tribal children. Similarly, in Chitrakoot, Nanaji Deshmukh adopted 500 villages through Deendayal Upadhyay Shodh Sansthan and worked for their all-round development. When I went there in the year 2006-07, I came to know that so far he has made 80 villages self-reliant. Work was done to make every family economically strong in these villages. These examples tell us how big a change even a single person can bring.

The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is a prosperous state in every respect. There are forests on 44 percent of the land of the State . The soil here is fertile and the farmers are hardworking. Naxalism was a big obstacle in the development of Chhattisgarh, which we are eliminating. We have made an excellent rehabilitation policy for the Naxalites who are surrendering. Soon the state will be Naxal-free and all facilities including roads, electricity, water will be available in Bastar as well .

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while sharing his experience of Muller village of Bastar division, said that the tribals of this area had to travel 25 kilometers on foot for ration, which took three days. One can imagine how much this area was lagged behind in development. We decided to make Muller a separate panchayat and opened a ration shop there. When I went there, the happiness of the people was clearly visible on their faces.

The Chief Minister asked the newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents that without developing the villages, we cannot make Chhattisgarh a developed state. Take full benefit of this time of training. Always keep in mind that there should be no compromise on the quality of development works. Visit your areas regularly. Travel and inspection bring administrative tightness and give impetus to development works.

Addressing the program, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that prepare yourself fully to do better work as the President and Vice President of the District Panchayat. Have in-depth knowledge of the legal provisions related to Panchayati Raj. For the development of the village, not only construction work, but also constantly think about other possibilities. Economic progress of the village is ensured by activities like milk production. Economic prosperity in the village gives a new direction to the youth and they stay away from addictions.

During this training program, you should also reflect on the working form of the Gram Panchayat. Understand all the processes related to the Panchayati Raj Institution well, so that you can do better work in the interest of the public. One lakh seventy thousand people of all levels associated with the Panchayati Raj Institutions will be trained here. Today it is starting with all of you.

CM Vishnu Deo Sai (Center) Deputy CM Vijay Sharma (Right) and Principal Secretary for the departments of Panchayat and Rural Development Niharika Barik Singh (Left ) releasing a magazine titled’ Panch Man ‘ a provision guide for newly elected District Panchayat Presidents and Vice Presidents -Photo Credit- CG/PR

In the program, the Chief Minister released PESA: Panchayat Provisions and Chhattisgarh Panchayat Provision Guide, ‘Panch Man’ Magazine and reading material for District Panchayat President, Vice President and Members. The Chief Minister also planted a Maulshree tree (Spanish Cherry) in the premises of Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute.

On the occasion, Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Niharika Barik Singh, Secretary Bhim Singh, Director Priyanka Rishi Mahobia and Director of Thakur Pyarelal State Panchayat and Rural Development Institute P.C. Mishra were present.