Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced that Sonakhan would be made as a new tehsil of Balodabazar district. He was addressing a programme held at Sonakhan, the birth place of Veer Narayan Singh at Sonakhan in Balodabazar district on the occasion of his Martyrdom Day, on Friday.

Baghel also announced that a life size statue of martyred Veer Narayan Singh will be installed at Jaistambh Chowk in Raipur. He recalled the contributions of Veer Narayan Singh in Indian freedom movement. The Chief Minister also announced to hike honorarium being given to the family members of Veer Narayan Singh from Rs 1,000 to Rs 10,000. Baghel inaugurated a bridge constructed over Jonk river.

The bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs 9.60 crore. Besides, the Chief Minister inaugurated Eklavya Hostel, which has been constructed at a cost of around Rs 16 crore. Baghel also declared to give Samudayik Van Sansadhan Adhikar Patra to five Gram Panchayats. On the occasion Chief Minister released the magazine ‘Swarojgar Badhte Kadam’ published by Balodabazar district administration and unveiled the statue of Veer Narayan Singh at Sonakhan.

School Education Minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam, Industry Minister Kawasi Lakhma, Parliamentary Secretaries Shakuntala Sahu, Chandradev Rai, Jila Panchayat President Rakesh Verma, State Text Book Corporation Chairman Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, State Farmers’ Welfare Council Chairman Surendra Sharma, District Congress Committee Balodabazar Hitendra Thakur, Collector Sunil Kumar Jain,