Balrampur:  The northern part of Chhattisgarh, the Surguja division, is experiencing severe cold. Life has been completely disrupted due to this, and in light of this, the District Education Officer of Balrampur district has issued a holiday order for children in all government and non-government schools for January 6th. The order states that school gates will remain open and teachers and staff will be on duty. This holiday order is only for children.

Children were given leave in Balrampur schools.

Surguja division is experiencing the coldest weather, with a cold wave prevailing even during the day. This is disrupting people's daily routines and preventing them from leaving their homes on time. School-age children are the most affected by this, which is why the Balrampur District Education Officer has issued a school holiday, although the order states that this holiday is not for higher secondary and high school students who have practical exams.

Due to the cold, the holiday may be extended further.

Although the District Education Officer has issued a holiday order for just one day, it is believed that if the cold continues, the holidays may be extended. Meanwhile, schoolchildren in Ambikapur, Surajpur, and Jashpur, as well as in surrounding districts of the Surguja division, are facing similar hardship. Parents are demanding the cancellation of morning classes because children attending school in the morning shift have to wake up at 6:00 am and then leave for school, while the morning fog and cold wave are so intense that even adults are hesitant to leave their homes.

Chhattisgarh: The budget formulation process for the fiscal year 2026-27 has now reached a decisive stage. Ministerial-level budget discussions begin today at the Ministry located in Mahanadi Bhawan, and will run from January 6th to January 9th. In these meetings, departmental ministers will discuss the budget proposals of their respective departments in detail with Finance Minister OP Choudhary.

During the ministerial-level budget discussions, proposals for new items (new schemes) will be presented alongside the main budget proposals. Proposals agreed upon will be finalized and included in the budget, while new items that cannot be agreed upon will be excluded from the budget. A separate time will be set aside for discussion of proposals related to Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai's departments.

The proposals of these departments will be discussed on January 6.

On January 6, Industry, Excise and Labour Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan will present new proposals of their departments at 11 am, Health, Medical Education and OBC Welfare Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal at 12 noon, Tourism, Culture and Religious Trust Minister Rajesh Agarwal at 2 pm and Skill Development, Technical Education and SC Welfare Minister Guru Khuswant at 3 pm.

Program for January 7 and 8

On January 7, Forest, Transport, Cooperation and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap will take decisions on the proposals of their departments at 11 am, Revenue, School Education and Higher Education Minister Tankaram Verma at 12 noon, Ajak Welfare, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ramvichar Netam at 2.30 pm and Finance Minister OP Chaudhary at 4 pm.

On January 8th, at 11 a.m., Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw's proposals for the Public Works, Public Health Engineering, Sports and Youth Welfare, and Urban Administration departments will be discussed. At 2:30 p.m., proposals for the School Education, Village Industries, and Legislative Departments will be presented.

Final phase on January 9

On January 9, new proposals of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister Laxmi Rajwade will be approved at 12 noon and at 2 pm, new proposals of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma of Home, Panchayat and Rural Development and IT departments will be approved.

Raipur: On the auspicious and holy occasion of Mata Shakambhari Jayanti, on Saturday, the state's Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Shri Vijay Sharma participated in the Jayanti celebrations organized in the villages of Mainpuri, Birutola, Amlidih, Barpela Tola, Sohagpur and Ghughrikhurd of Kabirdham district. On this occasion, he prayed to Mata Shakambhari and prayed for happiness, prosperity, peace and well-being of the people of the state and the district. During this, the Deputy Chief Minister also formally inaugurated the kitchen shed in Sohagpur village.

Addressing the community, Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma highlighted the ideals of Mata Shakambhari, social harmony, hard work, and cooperative spirit, saying that such events not only bind society together but also strengthen cultural and social values. During the event, he also inquired about the government's public welfare schemes and the progress of development work underway in the area.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma said that the Patel community has always been hardworking, self-reliant, and self-respecting. Thanks to the blessings of Mother Shakambhari, this community has been prosperous and has always fostered a tradition of working together. Cooperation is inherent in the spirit of the Marar-Patel community, which allows the community and government to successfully advance numerous development initiatives.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Patel community has not only progressed itself through its enterprise, hard work, and perseverance, but has also played a vital role in nurturing and supporting other sections of society. Today, it is essential that other communities also learn from the hard work, discipline, and collectivism of the Patel community.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma prayed to Mata Shakambhari and said that with her blessings, everyone's homes should be showered with wealth and prosperity, fields and barns should flourish, all citizens should remain healthy and happy, and the region should continue to progress. He said that the state government, in collaboration with all sections of society, is making continuous efforts for the upliftment of villages, the poor, farmers and laborers.

Raipur: Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam flagged off an educational tour for students of primary and secondary schools in the district as part of the National Invention Campaign. This tour is being conducted under the overall education program under the guidance of Collector Shri S. Jaivardhan.

Under this campaign, approximately 200 students from Surajpur district are being taken on a tour of the major educational and technical institutions of Surguja division, including the Indira Gandhi Agricultural Research Center, the All India Radio Center, the Darima Airstrip, the Thinthini Stone, and Sanjay Park. Under the guidance of female and male guide teachers, the students will visit these institutions and gain practical knowledge of modern agricultural technology, radio broadcasting systems, and air traffic operations.

The goal of this educational tour is to develop curiosity, innovation, and a practical approach in students, broadening their academic vision and enabling them to move beyond bookish knowledge and gain real-life experience. This educational tour is proving to be an important initiative toward the all-round development of students.

On this occasion, former Chairman of Textbook Corporation Shri Bhimsen Agarwal, senior social workers Shri Murali Manohar Soni, Ram Kripal Sahu, Shashikant Garg, Sandeep Agarwal, Kaushal Pratap Singh, Sant Singh, Arvind Mishra, Rajesh Mahalwala, Shankar Jindiya, Ajay Agarwal, Rajeshwar Tiwari, Shailesh Agarwal, Dev Gupta, Ashok Agarwal, Sanskar Agarwal along with many public representatives and eminent citizens were present with great dignity.

On behalf of the educational department, District Education Officer Mr. Ajay Kumar Mishra, District Mission Coordinator Mr. Manoj Kumar Sahu, APC Mr. Shobhnath Choubey, BRC Guide Teacher Mr. Tandon, Mr. Vinod Yadav, Mr. Harsh Narayan Sharma, Mr. Gautam Sharma, Mr. Ajit Kumar Gupta, Mr. Ajay Upadhyay, Mr. Shrikant Pandey, Mr. Lokesh Sahu and Mrs. Jyoti Sahu were present.

Raipur: Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Shri Vijay Sharma today took an important initiative towards the overall development of the region, performing the ground breaking ceremony for two important road construction projects approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana at a cost of approximately 18 crore rupees. Following the ground breaking ceremony, road construction work began immediately. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma said that a strong road network is the foundation of any region's economic, social and educational development.

Vishnudev Sai government's aim is to provide strong and safe road connectivity even to the remotest villages, so that the villagers can easily get basic amenities. The road construction works for which ground breaking ceremony was held include construction of 15.20 km long road from Main Road to Lasatola at a cost of Rs 9.89 crore and 12.91 km long road from NH-12A to Bhedli at a cost of Rs 8.13 crore.

Addressing the residents, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that the construction of these roads will directly benefit many surrounding villages, including Lasatola, Badradih, Bamhni, Mahartola, Navagaon, and Nevaspur. Furthermore, with Bhedli connected to the main road, the villagers of Bhimpuri, Jhironi, Jinda, Khairjhiti Khurd, Kutki Para, Sonpuri, and Thuha Deeh will also receive improved road connectivity. He said that the government's clear and firm goal is to ensure that the light of development reaches even the remotest villages. To this end, strong, safe, and all-weather road connectivity is being developed as a priority.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma said that road construction in these areas will facilitate transportation for villagers, make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to markets, and create new business and employment opportunities. Students will find it easier to get to school and college, and it will be possible to transport seriously ill patients to the hospital on time.

He also said that the state government is giving top priority to rural infrastructure development. Continuous work is being carried out in the areas of roads, bridges, electricity, drinking water, health and education. The government is committed to connecting every village to the main road and bringing it into the mainstream of development.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma directed construction agencies to complete the road construction work in a quality, timely, and transparent manner, so that the general public can benefit from it for a long time. Public representatives, senior officials, Panchayat representatives, and a large number of villagers were present during the groundbreaking ceremony. All expressed happiness at the commencement of road construction and expressed gratitude to the government.

Raipur: The Raipur Municipal Corporation has intensified its action against tax defaulters. On Saturday, the Revenue Department of Zone No. 8 took major action, locking and sealing the business premises of seven major defaulters. These establishments owe a total of ₹71 lakh in taxes to the Municipal Corporation.

7 commercial premises sealed
The biggest target of this action was Pushp Vatika Marriage Garden in Raipura. Located in Ward No. 70 (Sant Ravidas Ward), the owners of this marriage garden, Satyendra Bisen and Indrajit Bisen, had not paid a total of ₹45,99,952 in taxes for several years. When the amount remained unpaid despite demand bills and a final notice, the corporation team immediately sealed the garden.

Raipur:  A public hearing will be held on Thursday, January 8th, at the Chief Minister's residence office in Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai will directly interact with the people of the state on this occasion and address their problems. Chief Minister Sai has instructed officials to ensure prompt and sensitive resolution of every application received during the public hearing, so that people can receive timely solutions.

Kawardha . On the occasion of Mata Shakambhari Jayanti, Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma participated in celebrations held at various locations in Kabirdham district. He offered prayers to Mata Shakambhari and prayed for the happiness, prosperity, peace, and well-being of the people of the state. Sharma participated in celebrations organized by the Patel community in villages Bendarchi, Majgaon, Sahaspur Lohara, Lalpur, and Mohra, extending his best wishes to the community. He also extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh on the occasion of Chherchhera, a traditional festival of Chhattisgarh, stating that this festival strengthens the spirit of social unity, charity, and cooperation. Sharma also inaugurated the newly constructed community hall of the Bhoyra Marar Patel community in Majgaon.

In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma stated that Mata Shakambhari symbolizes food, nature, and compassion. Her life and message inspire society towards self-reliance, environmental protection, and human welfare. He said that worshipping Shakambhari Mata teaches us to respect nature and live a balanced life. In Bendarchi, he interacted with members of the Patel community and wished everyone a happy Shakambhari Jayanti. He inquired about the construction of roads, Anganwadis, community halls, sheds, stadiums, etc. in the area and also discussed with public representatives about the construction of a main road.

Deputy Chief Minister Sharma said in Majhgaon village that the Patel community has always been a hardworking and self-reliant community. This community, blessed with wealth and prosperity by the grace of Shakambhari Mata, has always taught people to work together. The newly constructed community hall will also accelerate the social activities of the Bhoyra Marar Patel community.

Speaking at the Shakambhari Mata Jayanti celebrations in Lohara, Deputy Chief Minister Sharma said that the Patel community has always been a very self-respecting community. People need to learn from the Patel community, and that the community has always nurtured its people through its own enterprise. He prayed to Mata Shakambhari that everyone's homes be filled with wealth and prosperity, that everyone's fields flourish, and that everyone remain healthy, and that such blessings continue to be upon everyone. He also inquired about the status of various development works.

Instructions given to issue show-cause notice for negligence and indiscipline in government work

Jashpurnagar . On the auspicious occasion of New Year 2026, the Jashpur Forest Division is organizing a grand event of exciting adventure and eco-tourism activities for tourists at Mayali Nature Camp. This event is being organized by the Forest Department in collaboration with Forest Management Committees, with the aim of providing tourists with a safe, environmentally friendly, and memorable experience amidst nature. Mayali Nature Camp, surrounded by dense forests, tranquil waters, and lush greenery, has prepared a special range of adventure activities for this New Year. Visitors can enjoy exciting activities like speed boating, kayaking, ATV riding, and cricket. A nominal fee of just ₹100 per activity has been set for all these activities, encouraging more people to participate.

Divisional Forest Officer, Jashpur Forest Division, Shashi Kumar, stated that all activities will be conducted under the supervision of trained personnel and in accordance with strict safety standards. This will not only provide tourists with an adventurous experience, but also allow them to spend time close to nature in a completely safe environment. The Mayali Nature Camp is an important initiative to promote eco-tourism, provide employment to local forest committees, and establish a new identity for the district's tourism. This location is ideal for those who wish to welcome the New Year with natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. The Forest Department, Jashpur, has appealed to all citizens and tourists to visit the Mayali Nature Camp with their families and friends on the occasion of the New Year. Enjoy these exciting activities and actively contribute to cleanliness and environmental protection.

Jashpurnagar . The Indian Army has issued admit cards for the Agniveer Recruitment Rally to be held in Chhattisgarh in January 2026. The recruitment rally will be organized by the Army Recruiting Office, Raipur, from January 10 to 24, 2026, at the Indoor Stadium, Dhamtari, and will be open to male candidates from all districts of Chhattisgarh. 

This recruitment rally will conduct the selection process for the positions of Agniveer General Duty, Agniveer Technical, Agniveer Clerk/Storekeeper, and Agniveer Tradesman (10th and 8th Pass). It is noteworthy that the Indian Army conducted the Common Entrance Examination (CEE) online from June 30, 2025, to July 10, 2025. Candidates who succeed in this examination will be eligible to participate in other recruitment processes, including the Physical Efficiency Test.

The Army Recruitment Office has uploaded the admit cards of eligible candidates participating in the rally on the official website of the Indian Army, www-joinindianarmy-nic-in, and has also sent them to the registered email addresses of the candidates. To participate in the recruitment rally, it will be mandatory for candidates to bring their admit card, all the required documents mentioned in the rally notification, and a mobile phone linked to their Aadhaar card.

For any information or clarification, candidates may contact the Army Recruitment Office, Naya Raipur, located near the International Cricket Stadium, at 0771-2965212 and 0771-2965214. The Army Recruitment Office has clarified that the Indian Army's selection process is completely transparent, and selection is based solely on merit and performance. Candidates are advised to

Raipur ). Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai met Bharatiya Janata Party's acting national president Nitin Navin in New Delhi on Saturday and congratulated him on his new responsibility.

CM Sai said that as state in-charge, Nitin ji's able leadership, foresight and continuous hard work took Chhattisgarh to new heights from an organizational point of view. BJP's historic victory in the assembly and Lok Sabha elections is a direct result of his inspiring leadership. We have full faith that under Nitin ji's energetic leadership, Bharatiya Janata Party will touch new heights and become even stronger on the path of serving the nation.

Raipur . With the beginning of the New Year 2026, the state of Chhattisgarh has achieved a major milestone in the field of rural infrastructure. Under the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV), administrative approval has been granted for the construction of 774 rural roads in the state at a cost of ₹2,225 crore. This approval was obtained through the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and the special efforts of Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma.

Under the scheme, 774 roads with a total length of 2,427 kilometers will be constructed in 2025-26, connecting 781 rural settlements in the state with all-weather road connectivity. This will facilitate transportation for villagers in remote and inaccessible areas previously deprived of road connectivity and significantly expand opportunities for education, health, agriculture, business, and employment.

In accordance with PMGSY-IV guidelines, eligible settlements have been selected in priority order based on the 2011 Census. In which, special priority has been given to Scheduled Tribe-dominated villages falling under the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. Proposals were prepared from all the districts of the state and sent to the Government of India, which were approved by the Ministry of Rural Development, New Delhi.

Under PMGSY-IV, a total of 774 roads have been approved in 24 districts of the state. Of these, the highest number of 87 roads will be built in Bastar district. Similarly, 84 roads have been approved in Korea, 77 in Jashpur, 76 in Surajpur, 58 in Balrampur, 55 in Korba, 48 in Kawardha, 44 each in Mahasamund and Bijapur, 41 in Kanker, 34 in Kondagaon, 27 in Bilaspur, 26 in Surguja, 16 in Sukma, 14 in Raigarh, 12 in Dantewada, 9 in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, 7 in Gariaband, 6 in Balod, 5 in Rajnandgaon, 6 in Mungeli, and 2 each in Bemetara and Dhamtari. The construction of these roads will give a new impetus to social and economic activities in rural areas. Farmers will have ease in transporting agricultural produce, students will have easy access to schools, and the rural population will benefit from other basic facilities including health services. It is noteworthy that in the previous phases of PMGSY, construction of 8316 roads covering more than 40 thousand kilometers has been completed so far. Furthermore, to connect the Special Backward Tribes with the mainstream, 600 kilometers of roads have been constructed in the last two years, connecting 138 settlements of Special Backward Tribes. 

 Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that through the fourth phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the state government aims to connect remote villages with the mainstream. Roads are the backbone of development and their construction will strengthen prosperity and self-reliance in villages. He informed that construction of the approved roads will begin as soon as possible.

Raipur. A major organizational change has been made within the Tribal Congress organization. On the instructions of National President Dr. Vikrant Bhuria and the recommendation of Chhattisgarh State President Janak Dhruv, Kuldeep Kumar Dhruv has been appointed General Secretary in-charge of the Chhattisgarh Tribal Congress.

According to party sources, Kuldeep Kumar Dhruv's appointment will strengthen the Tribal Congress's organizational structure in the state. The leadership has entrusted him with this responsibility due to his organizational experience and activism.

Raipur . The schedule for the election of the executive committee of Raipur Press Club has been announced. As per the issued instructions, elections will be held for various posts of Press Club Raipur. This election includes the posts of President (01), Vice President (01), General Secretary (01), Joint Secretary (02) and Treasurer (01).

Under the election schedule, the process of receiving and submitting nomination papers will be held from January 6 to January 8, 2026, from 11 am to 3 pm in Room No. A-09 of Collectorate Complex, Raipur.
Scrutiny of nomination papers and publication of the list of valid nomination papers will be done on 9th January 2026 at 11 am in Room K-09, Collectorate Complex.Withdrawal of nomination papers will take place from 11 am to 3 pm on January 10, 2026. The final list of contesting candidates will be published after 3 pm on the same day.

Voting will take place at the Press Club, Raipur, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on January 13, 2026. Counting of votes will also take place on the same day at the Press Club premises, immediately after the voting is over.

Nomination papers can be obtained from Room No. A-09 of the Collectorate Complex, Raipur. The voter list fee is set at ₹300. The nomination fee for the post of President is ₹5,000 and for other positions, ₹2,000.

Raipur -Security forces have achieved a major success in the anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel killed 12 Naxalites during a search operation in the Kistaram police station area. The encounter took place in the dense forests of Sukma, where the operation was being conducted based on intelligence about the presence of Naxalites.

According to reports, DRG personnel were conducting a search operation in the Kistaram area. Meanwhile, Naxalites, who were lying in ambush, opened fire on the security forces. The soldiers took charge and retaliated. After a fierce encounter that lasted several hours, the security forces killed 12 Naxalites. Following the encounter, an intensive search operation was launched in the entire area.

Security forces recovered a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the scene, including AK-47s and INSAS rifles, along with other Naxalite material. Officials say that many of the killed Naxalites are believed to be hardcore cadres, who are likely to be carrying bounties.

Following the incident, additional forces have been deployed to the area, and a search operation is underway in the surrounding forests. The state police and administration have hailed this action as a major achievement against Naxalism. Officials say the campaign will be intensified in the coming days in Naxal-affected areas to pave the way for peace and development in the region.

A living example of charity and dedication in folk tradition

Raipur   On the occasion of Cherchera Tihar, which holds a special place in the rich folk-cultural traditions of Chhattisgarh, State Revenue Minister Tank Ram Verma went from door to door in the traditional way in village Tarpongi of Dharsiwa development block and accepted food donations. On this occasion, an atmosphere of enthusiasm, affinity and folk joy was seen in the village.

Regular medical services will reach remote villages of the district due to the initiative of Chief Minister Sai.