Jashpurnagar . Collector Rohit Vyas has approved a financial assistance grant of Rs 4 lakh under RBC 6-4 to the affected family in a case of loss of life due to natural disaster. Late Antonis Kujur, a resident of village Kudukela under Kunkuri tehsil, died on July 14, 2025 due to lightning. The financial assistance grant amount of Rs 4 lakh has been approved for the deceased's next of kin, his wife Julia.

Jashpurnagar . A heartfelt and emotional farewell ceremony was organized in the Collectorate office premises on the retirement of Assistant Grade-2 Tirtharam Sahu, posted at the Collectorate office in Jashpur. Assistant Collector Aniket Ashok, Additional Collector Pradeep Sahu, SDM Vishwasrao Maske, along with all the officers and employees of the Collectorate office were present on this occasion. Everyone gave a respectful farewell to their dear colleague by presenting him with a bouquet of flowers, a shawl, a coconut and a garland.

The officers and staff present at the ceremony recalled Sahu's long service, saying that he always demonstrated honesty, punctuality, and dedication in the discharge of his duties. From routine administrative tasks to complex file management, his work ethic was exemplary. His calm demeanor, cooperative approach, and willingness to assist every employee made him a beloved figure.

On this occasion, Additional Collector Pradeep Sahu said that Tirtharam Sahu was not just an employee but an integral part of the office's work culture. His experience and guidance provided many newly appointed employees with the opportunity to learn. Assistant Collector Aniket Ashok said that his retirement will leave the Collectorate family with the loss of an experienced mentor. During the farewell ceremony, Tirtharam Sahu became emotional and expressed his gratitude to all the officers and colleagues, saying that the Collectorate office was not just a workplace for him, but a family. Sharing memories of his service, he said that it was only with everyone's support that he was able to successfully discharge his responsibilities. On this occasion, an atmosphere of belonging, respect, and gratitude pervaded the entire Collectorate campus. With the retirement of Tirtharam Sahu, a dedicated chapter of administrative service has come to an end, one that the office family will always remember with pride.

00 Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sai and Tourism Minister Agarwal, the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority accelerated the nomination process.
00 Union Tourism and Culture Minister Shekhawat's visit to Sirpur strengthened the state government's claim.

Raipur. Chhattisgarh's ancient gem, Sirpur, is poised to enter the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Sirpur Special Area Development Authority, led by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agarwal, has accelerated the nomination process. A visit by Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has made it inevitable at the federal level. Final approval is highly likely in the new year, granting the state its first World Heritage Site. Renowned as a multi-religious urban center since the sixth century, Sirpur has witnessed the coexistence of Buddhist, Jain, Hindu, and Shaiva-Vaishnava traditions. Over 125 excavated sites, including the Lakshmana Temple, Buddhist Viharas, ancient residential complexes, markets, and river ghats, have been jointly documented by the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Archaeology Department. The Archaeological Survey of India and state tourism agencies have completed a detailed inspection of Sirpur to ensure it meets the international standards of security, presentation, and visitor management required for the UNESCO tag. This report has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Culture to strengthen the proposal, including the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority's report by November 2025.

On January 1, 2026, Mr. Shekhawat visited Sirpur with Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma and Tourism Minister Mr. Rajesh Agarwal. He inspected the Laxman Temple, Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihar, Tivardev Vihar, Tunnel Tila, and Haat Bazaar and directed that the original structure be preserved and connectivity be enhanced. Mr. Shekhawat stated that efforts are underway to include Sirpur in the UNESCO World Heritage List. He further stated that Sirpur is a historic city, once the capital of the state. Visiting Sirpur, witnessing its heritage, understanding its development journey over a thousand years, and experiencing its glorious past certainly creates a thrill in the mind and body. It is a matter of immense privilege to have had the opportunity to visit all this, to witness and understand the history and glory of our ancestors. This site, registered by the Archaeological Survey of India, is one of the 140 centrally protected monuments in the country. The Government of India and the State Government are working together to preserve and maintain the heritage here. Given the importance of this region and its location, there is immense potential for tourism development here. As the Tourism Minister, I can say that if this area is provided with proper connectivity and the basic tourism facilities are developed, Chhattisgarh will undoubtedly achieve a new tourism destination in the future. Chhattisgarh is being recognized as a state with a rich historical heritage and natural resources. Sirpur is crucial for Chhattisgarh to become a hub of tourism activities in the future. This visit by the Union Tourism Minister strengthens the state government's report, as Sirpur is one of the 140 protected monuments.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that Sirpur is the cultural soul of Chhattisgarh. UNESCO recognition will provide global recognition, boost tourism, and create thousands of jobs for local youth. On his instructions, the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, prepared a master plan for 125 excavation sites. This includes major sites including the Laxman Temple, Anand Prabhu Kuti Vihar, Tivardev Vihar, Surung Tila, and Gandeshwar Temple. The November 2025 report has reached the Union Ministry, and the final review took place in December.

Tourism Minister Mr. Rajesh Agarwal stated that Sirpur will be developed into a global tourism hub. Battery e-carts, 3D interpretation centers, homestay clusters, heritage shuttles, and guided walks are being launched. Four heritage circuits will connect Buddhist monasteries to the Laxman Temple. Work is underway on road upgrades, digital signage, cleanliness, and circuit management. Emphasis will be placed on guide training, handicraft markets, and eco-friendly stays for local benefit.

It is noteworthy that Sirpur was the capital of South Kosala. The Lakshmana Temple is Sirpur's most famous and oldest Hindu temple, built in the 6th-7th century. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is primarily constructed of red bricks. Queen Vasatadevi built it in memory of her husband, King Harshagupta. It is also considered a symbol of a love story. Tivaradeva Vihara is an ancient Buddhist monastery, dated to the 7th-8th century. It was built largely of bricks, and its remains have been excavated. This monastery, associated with the Buddhist sect, was used by followers of Buddha in Sirpur for meditation, education, and religious practices. Ananda Prabhu Kuti Vihara is a major Buddhist site in Sirpur, founded by the monk Ananda Prabhu. This monastery is a large Buddhist monastery with 14 rooms, with a main entrance and beautifully carved pillars. A large statue of Buddha and other Buddhist statues are found here. Tunnel Tila is a unique archaeological site in Sirpur, containing the remains of an ancient temple. This 7th-century temple has five sanctums, each containing a Shivalinga and a Ganesha image, highlighting the diversity of this religious site.

It is a rare blend of Hindu-Buddhist-Jain architecture, comparable to Angkor Wat or Bodh Gaya. Chhattisgarh's entry into India's 44 World Heritage Sites in the combined cultural-natural category will be through Sirpur. The UNESCO tag is expected to generate global funding, direct and indirect employment opportunities, and tourism revenues of over 5 billion rupees. It is noteworthy that Sirpur, originally known as Shripur/Shripura, is an ancient city on the banks of the Mahanadi River, with a history spanning from the 5th to the 12th centuries. It has been a major political, religious, and cultural center of South Kosala, and it boasts a rare collection of pilgrimage sites, monasteries, temples, and viharas belonging to all three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Excavations have uncovered the remains of 22 Shiva temples, 5 Vishnu temples, 10 Buddhist viharas, and 3 Jain viharas.

Raipur. Governor Ramen Deka has given instructions to prioritize works related to livelihood, skill development and social security in the adopted villages. Governor Mr. Deka today held a meeting with the officials of the Social Welfare Department, State Rural Livelihood Mission and Handloom Department and reviewed the progress of schemes in the adopted villages. It
is noteworthy that the Governor has adopted village Sonpuri of Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district, village Temri of Bemetara district and village Bijli of Gariaband district. Initiatives have been taken to ensure effective implementation of various welfare schemes of the government in these villages and to promote inclusive development.

Governor Deka, while emphasizing on skill development under the Livelihood Mission, said that training should be given as per local needs after conducting a detailed survey in the adopted villages. The disabled should be provided with necessary assistive devices, eligible beneficiaries should be provided with pension and other social security benefits. He gave instructions to connect women with self-help groups and increase their participation in livelihood activities. The Governor clearly said that there should be no compromise on quality for skill development. He visited the adopted villages and instructed the officials to ensure necessary action at the ground level. Director of Social Welfare Department, Mrs. Roktima Yadav, Director of Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission, Ashwani Devangan and other officials were present in the meeting.

CG News:  Congress spokesperson Vikas Tiwari's statements on the Jheeram Valley incident proved costly. The state Congress has taken strict action against him, and he has been removed from his post as PCC spokesperson.

Congress removes Vikas Tiwari from the post of spokesperson

In fact, Vikas Tiwari recently wrote to the judicial inquiry commission formed to investigate the Jhiram Valley Naxal incident, demanding narco-tests of BJP and Congress leaders. The party considered this move indiscipline. The media publicizing the names of senior leaders was also considered a violation of party lines.

Action taken on the instructions of Deepak Baij

On the instructions of state president Deepak Baij, the party has also issued a notice to Vikas Tiwari, demanding a written explanation within three days. According to the party, the BJP government bears responsibility for the Jheeram Valley incident, and Congress is working with the victim's family and the people of the state to expose it.

Baikunthpur. A major action by the administration has come to light. The SDM raided two rice mills, including the rice mill owned by District Panchayat President Mohit Paikra. During the physical verification, a significant shortage of paddy and illegal storage was uncovered. According to reports, approximately 500 quintals of paddy from the previous year were found missing during the verification at Mohit's rice mill.

Additionally, the mill's electricity bill payment for two months was found pending, which officials have objected to. During the raid, the administration discovered a total of 1,235 quintals of paddy missing. 384 sacks of illegal paddy were also seized. This action caused panic among the mill operators.

It is worth noting that Mohit Paikra is currently the District Panchayat President. Following administrative action, the matter has become a topic of discussion in the district. Officials say that further action will be taken as per the rules after the investigation is complete.

CG Weather Update: Amidst the severe cold in Chhattisgarh, the weather is about to change once again. The Meteorological Department has predicted rain in some districts of the state in the coming two days.

The Meteorological Department has predicted
heavy rain in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, Surguja, Jashpur, and Balrampur-Ramanujganj districts of Chhattisgarh. This could increase the cold in these areas.

In other districts of the state, the minimum temperature may increase by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in the next 48 hours. However, after this, the minimum temperature may again drop by 2 to 3 degrees.

Mercury dropped to 5 degrees in Ambikapur.
Talking about yesterday's weather, cold wave swept through one or two parts of Durg division. During this, the lowest minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in Ambikapur. While the highest maximum temperature of 29.6 degrees Celsius was recorded in Jagdalpur. Talking about the minimum temperature of other cities of the state, 8.2 degrees in Durg, 8.2 degrees in Korea, 9 degrees in Pendra, 9 degrees in Raipur, 9.5 degrees in Rajnandgaon, 9.6 in Dantewada and 10.8 degrees Celsius in Bilaspur were recorded

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai today performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bhoramdev Corridor Development Project during a grand ceremony held at the famous Bhoramdev Dham in Kabirdham district. On this occasion, the Chief Minister extended his best wishes to the people of the state for the New Year 2026, saying that it is a great privilege for Chhattisgarh to begin the new year with such a historic and visionary undertaking.

Bhoramdev Corridor will be developed at a cost of Rs 146 crore.

Chief Minister Sai said this day is a proud one for Chhattisgarh. Under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, the Bhoramdev Corridor Development Project will be developed at a cost of approximately ₹146 crore. This project, modeled after the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, will give Bhoramdev Dham national and international recognition.

He said that the new year could not have started better than this and he congratulated all the people of Chhattisgarh for this historic project.

Chhattisgarh's ancient heritage will get a new identity

According to CG News, the Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this is a major and important step towards recognising Bhoramdev's importance at the national level. He expressed his gratitude to Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for this initiative.

Bhoramdev is the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh".

Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the Bhoramdev Temple, the Chief Minister said that this temple, located amidst dense forest, is known as the "Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh." It is not just a religious site, but a living symbol of thousands of years of spiritual practice, exquisite architecture, and rich cultural consciousness.

He said that Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Bhoramadeva, where Shaiva philosophy, folk faith and tribal traditions come together to present a unique example of unity in diversity of Indian culture.

The Kanwar Yatra of Sawan is also a special tradition.

Chief Minister Sai said that the Kanwar Yatra held in the month of Sawan is an important tradition of Bhoramdev and he himself has had the privilege of welcoming the Kanwariyas many times.

9th Rada Auto Expo to be held from January 20 to February 5, 2026 

 Raipur— The Raipur Automobile Dealers Association (RADA) has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Chhattisgarh government for providing a special 50 percent discount on road tax (RTO tax) on vehicles during the RADA Auto Expo 2026. RADA has described this decision as historic and extremely beneficial for both the automobile industry and consumers. In this regard, RADA has officially announced the highly anticipated 9th RADA Auto Expo 2026, which will be held from January 20 to February 5, 2026. RADA President Mr. Ravindra Bhasin commended the government's decision, saying, "We are deeply grateful to Chief Minister Mr. Vishnudev Sai, Finance Minister Mr. O.P. Choudhary, and Cabinet Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap. This 50 percent discount on road tax during the RADA Auto Expo will not only give new impetus to the automobile sector but will also make vehicle purchases more accessible to the general public." Senior RADA officials Kailash Khemani, Vivek Agarwal and Mukesh Singhania said that this auto expo will boost economic activities in the state. Meanwhile, former RADA presidents Amar Parwani, Manish Raj Singhania, Anil Agarwal, Jayesh Pithaliya, Shashank Shah and Vivek Garg expressed confidence that the records set in the last auto expo – where more than 29,000 vehicles were sold and GST revenue of more than Rs 800 crore was received – will definitely be broken this time. They said that 50 percent road tax discount will prove to be the biggest attraction for customers. 

 The 9th Rada Auto Expo-2026 will bring many features like-

 ** Event period- 20 January to 5 February 2026

 ** Special Benefits - 50% Road Tax Concession by Chhattisgarh Government (Expo Period Only)

 **Exhibition: Latest vehicles and electric vehicles from leading automobile companies from India and abroad

Raipur / Union Tourism and Culture Minister Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today at the Chief Minister's residence in Sector-24, Nava Raipur. During the meeting, cordial and constructive discussions were held on issues related to tourism development in Chhattisgarh, conservation and strengthening of cultural heritage. Chief Minister Shri Sai extended a warm welcome to Union Minister Shri Shekhawat and presented him with a royal towel, a coffee table book on Bastar Dussehra and a memento made of bell metal. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Saw, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma and Tourism Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal were present on the occasion.

Friends of PALES, JALES and JASM paid tribute to Vinod Kumar Shukla, Nasir Ahmed Sikandar and poet Raza Haidri* 

 Raipur. Writers associated with the Progressive Writers' Association, the People's Writers' Association and the People's Culture Forum recently organized a condolence meeting at the Raipur Press Club in memory of the renowned late writers of Chhattisgarh and remembered their favorite writers with great intensity. It is known that in December 2025, the country's renowned poet and novelist Vinod Kumar Shukla, poet Nasir Ahmed Sikandar and poet Raza Haidri passed away. Arunkant Shukla, President of the Progressive Writers' Association, Raipur, called Vinod Kumar Shukla a writer who supported humanity.Poet Nasir Ahmed Sikandar spent his entire life uniting the state's conscious writers. Poet Raza Haidri was a writer deeply connected to the joys and sorrows of the people. His poetry will also live on in our hearts. Arunkant Shukla said that the passing of three literary luminaries in December is an irreparable loss. The void left by these personalities will remain. State President of the Janwadi Lekhak Sangh, Pardeshi Ram, described Vinod Kumar Shukla as a writer of unique craft. He described poet Nasir as an organizer dedicated to the organization, saying that he remained vocal against communalism throughout his life. Rajkumar Soni, National Secretary of the Jan Sanskriti Manch, said that Vinod was a great writer because he was both sensitive and honest. Nasir Ahmed Sikandar was also unique because he highlighted powerful poetic signatures. Poet Raza Haidri served as a bridge between Hindi and Urdu. Poet Mir Ali Mir compared the three writers to fragrance, saying that even after their departure, they would continue to fertilize the soil of the state and encourage good writers. Sukhanwar Hussain Sukhanwar provided detailed information about Raza Haidri, founder, life president, and editor-publisher of the magazine Shlok in Raipur, who carved a distinct niche for himself in Chhattisgarh's Urdu literature through his poems and ghazals. Dr. Nandan, a member of the National Executive of JALES, mentioned his relationship with Vinod Kumar Shukla and the closeness he developed with fellow Janwadi leader Nasir Ahmed Sikandar during his research on Nagarjun's literature. Nand Kumar Kansari of PALES described every meeting with Vinod Ji, who is engaged in writing for the salvation of humanity, as a wonderful encounter. Renowned poet Alok Verma urged one to form an opinion about Vinod Ji only after reading his entire work. He urged writers to better understand Shukla ji, advocating for reading his children's literature, starting with "Almost Jai Hind." Kamal Sharma, former announcer for Vividh Bharati, shared his experiences with Vinod ji. Aftab Begum, literary editor of Dainik Navbharat, also spoke about the creative contributions of Vinod ji and Nasir Ahmed Sikandar. PC Rath, State General Secretary of JALES, who moderated the meeting, spoke about the selfless contributions of the late personalities and the honesty of their work. He also mentioned Nasir's brief but powerful poems. Cultural figures Nisar Ali, Minhaj Asad, Fazle Abbas Saifi, and Saniyara Khan also addressed the gathering. The program was attended by journalists and poets Samir Dewan, Ruma Sengupta, Renu Nandi, Syed Salma, Sudha Bagh, Aftab Begum, Mo Shamim, Dr. Biplab Bandyopadhyay, Aziz Sadhir, Indra Rathore, Harish Kotak, and many other writers and cultural figures. At the end, poet Shijju Shakur expressed his gratitude on behalf of Jales.

MoU signed with Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust for skill development in health care in the presence of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai.   

Raipur / An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority and the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust at the Secretariat (Mahanadi Bhawan) in Nava Raipur in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai. This MoU is a significant step towards expanding the healthcare sector in the state, developing quality human resources, and creating new employment opportunities for youth. Through this MoU, various vocational training programs related to healthcare services will be conducted. The main objective of the MoU is to establish a healthcare training center, upgrade the skills of youth, and prepare trained manpower to meet the needs of modern medical services. These training programs will provide free training in both residential and non-residential settings. Four types of courses will be offered under the MoU: Medical Laboratory Technology, Cardiology Technician, ECG Technician, Cardiac Care Technician, and Emergency Medical Technician. These courses will provide youth with specialized opportunities to pursue careers in the healthcare sector. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai stated on this occasion that the state government considers skill development the backbone of development and is emphasizing the need to develop a skilled workforce, particularly suited to the needs of the healthcare sector. He expressed confidence that this initiative will strengthen healthcare services and create extensive employment opportunities for the youth. The Chief Minister also stated that this partnership, focused on skill development, will help expand healthcare facilities to remote areas of the state. Trained youth will be able to play an effective role in hospitals, health institutions, and emergency services. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Cabinet Minister Shri Gajendra Yadav, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Singh, Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust Shri C. Srinivas, representatives of the Trust, and officials from the Skill Development Department were present on the occasion.

Raipur. Due to the sensitive initiative of Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma, the handicapped people have once again found the path to self-reliance. Mr. Nemisingh Sahu, a resident of village Sarekha of development block Bodla and a one-legged handicapped person, was provided a petrol-driven scooter today at the MLA office in Kawardha.
Coming from a farmer family, Mr. Nemisingh Sahu had lost one of his legs in a road accident about twelve years ago. Due to his disability, he was facing serious difficulties in daily commuting and livelihood. It had become extremely difficult for him to commute for his daily work.

Sahu had applied to Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma regarding his problem. Considering his needs and socio-economic circumstances, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma directed immediate assistance. As a result, today, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma personally presented him with the keys to his vehicle. His joy at receiving the scooter knew no bounds. Nemi Singh hadn't driven a vehicle in years, so as soon as he started the scooter and it wobbled, the Deputy Chief Minister held him and had him practice riding it in front of him.
An emotional Nemi Singh Sahu expressed that he no longer had to depend on others for everyday tasks. This scooter is not just a means of transport for him, but a symbol of self-respect and self-reliance. He expressed his gratitude to Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma for this support and said that this assistance will bring a profound change in his life. It
is noteworthy that due to the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Sharma, more than 100 disabled people in the Kawardha Assembly constituency have been provided with assistive devices.