Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma on Monday announced development works worth Rs 48.30 lakh for Bhalpahari and Achanakpur villages in Kabirdham district. During his visit on the occasion of Navaratri, he inaugurated an Atal Digital Service Centre building and an additional classroom at a government primary school in Bhalpahari. Sharma offered prayers to Goddess Durga and interacted directly with villagers, sitting on the ground among them to hear their demands and grievances. He directed officials to ensure the prompt resolution of the issues raised. Emphasising rural development, Sharma said the state government, under leadership of the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, was committed to expanding basic amenities and extending development schemes to remote villages, particularly those dominated by the Baiga tribal community. In Bhalpahari, the announced projects include Rs 2.60 lakh for a concrete road along the high school road, Rs 4 lakh for a kitchen shed at the primary school and Rs 6.50 lakh for a community building in Akalgarhia Para. In Achanakpur, Rs 8 lakh has been earmarked for a stage, Rs 15 lakh for a community building, Rs 5.20 lakh for a concrete road and Rs 2.60 lakh for a road linking the main road to Panchram’s house.

 

Another Rs 2 lakh each has been announced for levelling the playground and the village cattle-shelter area. The Atal Digital Service Centre, built at a cost of Rs 5 lakh, will provide villagers with access to banking and digital services locally. Residents will be able to withdraw benefits under schemes such as the Mahtari Vandan Yojana and old-age and disability pension schemes, as well as access deposit facilities. The centre is expected to reduce the need to travel to towns for routine banking transactions. Referring to alleged irregularities in housing funds intended for Baiga tribal beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Sharma said action had been taken. He stressed that benefits must reach eligible beneficiaries and public funds must be used properly. He also highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), which aims to extend roads and essential infrastructure to settlements inhabited by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, including the Baiga community. Sharma further said the Bhoramdev Sugar Factory had recorded the country’s highest sugar recovery rate in the 2025-26 financial year. He added that the state government had fixed the support price for sugarcane at Rs 425 per quintal in the interests of farmers.