Bilaspur, Jan 26 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to making the state Naxal-free by March 2026, while unfurling the national flag at the state-level Republic Day function held at the Police Parade Ground here. Addressing the gathering on the 77th Republic Day, the Chief Minister announced a special medal for the Chhattisgarh Police Force to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the state’s formation, acknowledging their role in maintaining internal security.
Extending greetings to the people of the state, the Chief Minister stated that the Indian Constitution serves as the bedrock of the nation’s democratic faith, equality, and social justice. He emphasized that the state government is working with full commitment toward the service and prosperity of “Chhattisgarh Mahtari,” ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person in the queue.
Addressing the challenge of Maoist violence, Chief Minister Sai noted that the state has adopted a decisive strategy under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “Due to the courage of our security personnel and sustained operations, Maoist violence is now in its final phase,” he said, setting a firm target for a Naxal-free state by March 2026. He also highlighted the rehabilitation of surrendered insurgents through the Niyad Nella Nar Yojana and the promotion of local culture via initiatives like the Bastar Cafe.
The Chief Minister also paid tribute to the contribution of the tribal community in India’s freedom struggle. He mentioned the recently inaugurated Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Freedom Fighters Digital Museum—the country’s first of its kind—which serves to introduce the younger generation to the sacrifices of tribal heroes. This coincides with the ongoing celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
On the agricultural front, the Chief Minister claimed that Chhattisgarh farmers are currently receiving the highest price for paddy in the country. He noted that paddy procurement has surged from 5 lakh metric tonnes in previous years to a record 149 lakh metric tonnes. Over the last two years, the state has transferred ₹1.5 lakh crore directly into the bank accounts of farmers. Furthermore, 115 pending irrigation projects are being fast-tracked under the Atal Sichai Yojana to ensure year-round water security for the annadata.
Housing and women’s empowerment also featured prominently in the address. The Chief Minister confirmed that over 26 lakh houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, with a construction rate of approximately 2,000 houses per day. Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, more than 70 lakh women are receiving monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000, with a total of ₹14,948 crore distributed to date.
The Chief Minister outlined a vision for a “Digital Chhattisgarh,” stating that Nava Raipur is being developed as a global hub for IT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and pharmaceuticals. Under the state’s new industrial policy, investment proposals worth ₹7.83 lakh crore have already been received.
In the education sector, the government is addressing teacher shortages through rationalisation and implementing the National Education Policy by providing instruction in local dialects. He highlighted the addition of 9,000 smart classrooms and the commencement of MBBS education in Hindi to make medical studies more accessible.
The ceremony concluded with patriotic cultural performances by schoolchildren and a parade of departmental tableaux showcasing the state’s journey toward the “Developed Chhattisgarh” vision. Quoting the late poet Laxman Masturiya, the Chief Minister called for collective public participation to build a stronger state.