Marking the completion of 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership at the Centre, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday congratulated the Prime Minister and thanked the Union Government for its ‘unprecedented support’ in accelerating Chhattisgarh’s development. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Sai said the Centre’s visionary and welfare-oriented governance had strengthened the state’s growth trajectory while ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reached the poorest and most remote sections of society. Highlighting the fight against Left Wing Extremism, the Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh received 2,080.29 crore under the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Scheme. Along with the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS), Security Related Expenditure (SRE), advanced weaponry, jungle warfare training and air support, these measures have significantly enhanced the capabilities of security forces. Sai noted that the Union Ministry of Rural Development had approved 391 roads covering 3,222 km and 88 major bridges in Naxal-affected regions at a cost of 2,377 crore, improving both connectivity and security in remote areas. The Chief Minister also highlighted the Centre’s financial support, stating that the increase in States’ share of central taxes from 32% to 42% had provided Chhattisgarh with greater fiscal autonomy.

 

Over the past 12 years, the state has received 3.46 lakh crore through tax devolution and 1.43 lakh crore under various central schemes. In addition, 22,021 crore was sanctioned under the Special Assistance for Capital Investment Scheme, while 22,600 crore was provided as GST compensation. Road and rural infrastructure witnessed major expansion under central initiatives. Sai said projects worth 35,766 crore had been approved for National Highways, while 7,951 crore was sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The Centre also approved over 2,000 crore under PM JANMAN and 2,246 crore under PMGSY-IV for rural road development. In the social sector, the Chief Minister said 24.5 lakh houses had been sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), with nearly 19.7 lakh already completed. Under MGNREGA, 39,123 crore was spent to generate 152 crore person-days of employment, while 36.44 lakh rural households benefited from toilets built under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

 

The agriculture sector also received significant support, with 10,784 crore transferred directly to 25.51 lakh farmers under PM-Kisan and 5,064 crore provided under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Sai further highlighted achievements in tribal welfare, healthcare, women’s empowerment, digital connectivity and renewable energy. He said over 4.83 lakh individual forest rights titles had been distributed, 5,499 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were operational, and more than 64,000 households had adopted rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana. Concluding his message, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh and voiced confidence that continued support and guidance from the Centre would play a key role in achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Chhattisgarh’ aligned with the goal of a developed India.