Jammu. Following Operation Sindoor, security in Jammu and Kashmir has been strengthened down to the village level. Over the past year, more than 1,500 Village Defense Guards (VDGs) have been given special training in five districts, including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kathua, and Samba. These villagers are now working 12-hour duty hours alongside the army and police in border areas.

VDG members are now equipped with SLRs, bulletproof vests, and wireless communication sets, replacing the .303 rifles they previously used. Training includes weapons handling, tactical movement, surveillance, and emergency response.

According to Amit Kumar, a resident of Rajouri, there have been several infiltration attempts over the past year, but villagers have averted major incidents by alerting the army and police in time. Villagers also conduct joint patrols with security forces at night.

Security agencies claim that strengthening local networks has significantly impacted terrorist activities. Over the past year, there has been a 27.5% decrease in deaths from terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. From 127 deaths previously, this figure has now dropped to 92.

According to a police officer, 50 to 60 percent of search operations are based on human intelligence input from local residents. VDG members also played a key role in recent operations against terrorists in Kishtwar and Kathua.

Meanwhile, 190 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are returning to Jammu and Kashmir amid preparations for the Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3. The administration is focused on strengthening security at tourist sites and highways.

Raipur. The discovery of suspected bomb-making materials in the Ravabhata area of ​​the capital, Raipur, has taken a political turn. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, targeting the Congress party, said that after being ousted from power, opposition parties attempt to foment unrest in the state, but the government is fully vigilant and will respond to any nefarious activity.

On the other hand, former PCC chief Dhanendra Sahu sharply retorted against the government. He accused the government of behaving "like an ostrich" and only blaming the Congress. He argued that the incident was the result of administrative negligence and the government should be held accountable.

What is the whole matter?

A suspicious bag was found in the home of Mitanin Pushpa Sahu in Ward No. 13 of Raipur's Ravabhata area. According to reports, the bag was left there by a man named Vinay Devangan, a resident of Birgaon, claiming to have kept it there for a short time. Later, people inside became suspicious and informed local councilor Ashwani Yadav. The councilor and local residents opened the bag and examined it, revealing equipment including batteries, wires, an airgun, two bottles of suspicious chemicals, and a detonator. Upon receiving the information, Raipur North police, the bomb squad, and a forensic team arrived at the scene and cordoned off the entire area. The suspicious material was seized and sent for investigation.

Police engaged in investigation

Police have begun examining footage from nearby CCTV cameras and are preparing to question Vinay Dewangan in the case. Only after a forensic examination will it be clear what the actual purpose of the recovered material was. Following the incident, panic and discussion have gripped the area. Police are investigating the case from every angle, and officials say the situation will be clarified only after the investigation is complete.

Raipur: Raipur Chhattisgarh United Kisan Morcha Sarv Chhattisgarhi Kisan Samaj state agitators Anil Dubey, Lala Ram Verma, Chetan Devangan, Chhannu Sahu, Mahendra Kaushik, Jagdamba Sahu, Vimal Tamrakar, Ritu Mahant, Manu Bai Patel, Shyama Bai Dhruv, Tukeshwari Dhruv have termed the Good Governance Festival by Vishnu Dev Sai government as a joke with the public, on which lakhs of cases have been registered in the tehsil court, complaint has been lodged in the police station, Vishnu Dev is collecting tax for everyone, who will answer for this, in Lok Bhawan the state agitators have filed an affidavit on corruption to the Governor and are demanding dismissal of Vishnu Dev government, it is the constitutional right of every Indian citizen to file an affidavit complaint with proof, it is important to mention here that Vishnu Dev has filed nine affidavit complaints of farmers on which Vishnu Dev government has maintained silence.

Raipur: 07 May 2026: For the first time, the Central Regional Council meeting is being held in Bastar. Special preparations are being made for this. Dial 112 is currently available in 16 districts of the state, which will be expanded to the entire state. Bastar does not produce gold, it produces iron, hence iron ore related plants will be set up in Bastar and a special action plan is being worked out to promote tourism here. The talk of setting up big plants and changing the environment here is just a rumour. I also hear about the talk of being sent to the central team of BJP. This important information was given by the state Home Minister Vijay Sharma in a special conversation with Dainik Chhattisgarh Watch on Wednesday.

After a lengthy discussion with officials following the administrative reshuffle at Mahanadi Bhawan in Naya Raipur on Wednesday, Home Minister Vijay Sharma granted Chhattisgarh Watch an exclusive interview. During this interview, Mr. Sharma provided us with important information. Rumors abounded regarding some of the news, but accurate information was unclear. Therefore, we spoke directly with the Home Minister to confirm the matter.

First of all, the meeting of the Central Regional Council is going to be held on 19th May, please explain it in detail.

Home Minister: The Central Zonal Council meeting on May 19th is being held in Bastar for the first time. It was previously held in Varanasi on June 24th last year. This time, it will be held in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, and our Honorable Chief Minister, Shri Vishnudev Sai, will participate in the meeting. The main agenda of the meeting will be security, internal security, socio-economic development, and infrastructure issues in the Naxal-affected region.

Question: Are there still Naxalites left in Bastar? There's talk of setting up heavy industries in Bastar, which is also being said to be disrupting the ecological balance there.

Home Minister: Look, Bastar is mined for iron, not gold. Therefore, iron-based industries already exist, and related industries will be established. Furthermore, tourism is receiving special attention. Furthermore, development here was hampered by Naxalism. Work is underway to rapidly integrate it into the mainstream. Regarding Naxalism, the main leaders have laid down their arms, and there is a risk that those who have mingled with the general public may become active, but we remain vigilant. Not only Naxalism, but the Left has been rejected across the country. Today's reality is that working towards solving problems through democratic means has become the fundamental mantra. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone's faith in this. Ideologies may differ, but reaching out to the public and working with democratic values ​​through elections is also a respect for the common people. Regarding Bastar, IED removal work is underway. An accident occurred during this period, resulting in the tragic death of DRG soldiers. These IEDs pose a grave threat not only to humans but also to animals, and a courageous effort is underway to remove them. We anticipate that by the middle of next year, we will have removed the

- Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel Takes Charge of Preparations and Issues Strict Directives on Security and Facilities. The State administration has geared up for the successful organization of the upcoming Indian Premier League T20 matches scheduled to be held on May 10 and 13 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Nava Raipur. Chief Secretary Vikasheel on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials from various departments at Mahanadi Bhawan and issued detailed instructions to ensure flawless arrangements. Following these directives, the administration is fully prepared to host this major cricketing event and provide spectators with a safe and enjoyable experience.

*Match Schedule*

On May 10, 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will face Mumbai Indians, while on May 13, 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on Kolkata Knight Riders.

*Special Focus on Security and Traffic Management*

Chief Secretary Shri Vikasheel emphasized that the safety of thousands of spectators and smooth traffic management are the administration’s top priorities. In view of the large influx of visitors arriving in Raipur after online ticket bookings, the Police Commissioner, Raipur has been directed to prepare a detailed action plan. A dense network of CCTV cameras will be installed in parking areas and around the stadium. Barricading and parking management will be jointly handled by the police, NRDA, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

*Emergency Services*

Dedicated emergency routes will be marked for fire brigades and ambulances to ensure immediate response in case of any contingency. For smooth coordination, a high-level executive committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Collector, Raipur. It includes the Superintendent of Police (Rural), Municipal Commissioner, Director (Sports and Youth Welfare), Regional Transport Officer (RTO), CEO of NRDA, and other senior officials. While the overall responsibility rests with the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association, the administration will extend full support in arranging drinking water, electricity, roads, and healthcare services.

*Availability of Basic Facilities*

The Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department has been tasked with ensuring uninterrupted and adequate water supply at the stadium. The power department, including Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, has been directed to ensure uninterrupted electricity during the matches.

The meeting was attended by PWD Secretary Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, PHE Secretary Mohammad Qaiser Abdul Haq, Sports Secretary Yashwant Kumar, Collector Raipur Gaurav Singh, and senior officials from police, energy, transport, tourism, and CSPDCL. Representatives from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association also shared updates on their preparations.

Raipur. In a major relief to women, the Chhattisgarh government has published a notification in the state gazette granting a 50 percent discount on stamp duty on land and house registrations. This decision is being considered a significant step towards women's economic empowerment and increasing their property ownership.

In fact, a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai decided to provide a 50 percent discount on property registration fees for women. Now, a notification has been issued formalizing this decision. Once implemented, purchasing land or housing will become much cheaper and easier for women than before.

The government believes that this decision will encourage families to register property in women's names. This will not only strengthen women's economic position but also provide them with social security. This scheme could have a positive impact, especially in rural and middle-class families.

However, this exemption is also likely to impact the state government's revenue. According to government data, the decision could impact revenue by approximately ₹153 crore. Nevertheless, the government views this as a long-term social investment.

Experts believe that increasing women's share in property ownership will strengthen their empowerment and could also help promote gender equality.

Overall, this decision of the government is being considered an important initiative towards making women economically self-reliant and strengthening their position in the society.

Raipur. The pace of development in the Naxal-affected Bastar region is now accelerating. Following the formation of the government, the expansion of banking facilities has gained new momentum. In this context, a new Bank of Baroda branch was virtually inaugurated in Tarrem village, Usur block, Bijapur district. Finance Minister OP Choudhary joined the online inauguration. This is the 31st bank branch to open in the Bastar division in the last two and a half years.

Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai described this as a significant achievement towards good governance and inclusive development. He said that the expansion of banking services will provide opportunities for tribal and rural families to become economically empowered, and will also help youth and women engage in self-employment.

Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary stated that providing banking facilities in remote and Naxal-affected areas is a priority for the government. With the opening of the bank in Tarrem, people will no longer have to travel far for banking purposes, and benefits from various schemes will be credited directly to their accounts. This will promote transparency and financial inclusion.

He also said that Bastar is now moving towards transformation. Where banking facilities once lacked, banks are now reaching every village. In areas like Jagargunda, previously prone to Naxalite attacks, the opening of bank branches presents a new picture of development and trust.

Over the past two and a half years, several national and private bank branches have opened in various districts of Bastar—Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Sukma. This is not only providing banking services to local people but also boosting economic activity in the region.

The villagers expressed their delight at this initiative, saying they no longer have to travel far for small tasks. This transformation taking place in Bastar could prove to be a strong foundation for self-reliance and overall development in the future.

Raipur. When courage is strong and the government supports, even difficulties cannot stand in the way. The story of Krishna Pahadi Korwa and his wife Anita, who live in the village of Govindpur (Sargadi) in the Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, exemplifies this. This visually impaired couple, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, is now living a self-reliant life thanks to government schemes.

The biggest change in this family's life came in 2025, when, on the occasion of the state's silver jubilee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally handed over the keys to a permanent house built under the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana and the PM Awas Yojana (Rural) to Krishna. This house became not just a home for them, but a symbol of freedom from years of insecurity and deprivation.

Along with providing housing, the Mahatma Gandhi MNREGA scheme played a crucial role in achieving economic independence. Despite being visually impaired, Krishna and Anita refused to give up. They serve water to workers at MNREGA sites. In 2024-25, they received 86 days of employment, while this year they have received 14 days of work so far. This provides for their daily needs and eliminates their dependence on others.

Government schemes have also provided this family with a strong security blanket. The Antyodaya Anna Yojana provides rations, while the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has alleviated concerns about healthcare. Furthermore, they also receive regular financial assistance through the Disability Pension.

The smiles on Krishna and Anita's faces today are proof that when the benefits of good governance reach the last person, lives can be transformed. Their story is not only inspiring but also demonstrates that proper implementation can give a new direction to even the most vulnerable sections of society.

Raipur. To expedite the resolution of pending cases, a National Lok Adalat will be held on May 9, 2026. In addition, the Supreme Court of India is launching the "Samadhaan Samaroh" (Special Lok Adalat 2026) campaign, which emphasizes resolving disputes through mutual consent.

This initiative will begin on May 9th, while a special Lok Adalat will be held on August 21st, 22nd, and 23rd in the Supreme Court complex. This will also include cases pending in the Supreme Court. Previously, conciliation meetings are being held at mediation centers at the state, district, taluka, and high court levels, and the process began on April 21st.

The primary objective of this campaign is to reduce the backlog of cases in the courts and provide speedy justice to the parties through mutual consent. Advocates and litigants have been urged to actively participate and resolve cases through conciliation.

Conciliation meetings can be attended by parties both physically and virtually. Trained mediators and Legal Services Authority officials will facilitate these meetings, ensuring fair and transparent resolution.

Parties wishing to have their cases included in the Special Lok Adalat must fill out a Google form available on the Supreme Court's website. The deadline for this is May 31, 2026.

For more information, concerned parties can contact the District Legal Services Authority, Raipur, or the Supreme Court's One Stop Center (War Room). This initiative is considered an important step toward simplifying, accessing, and expediting the judicial process.

Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has taken seriously the unpleasant incident involving Padma Shri-awarded senior social worker Phulbasan Yadav. The Chief Minister personally spoke with him over the phone on Wednesday morning to inquire about his well-being and obtain complete information about the incident.

During the conversation, Chief Minister Sai assured that every aspect of the case will be thoroughly investigated and that the culprits will not be spared. He also directed the police administration to take strict action to ensure speedy justice in such cases.

Meanwhile, Padmashree Fulbasan Yadav expressed satisfaction with the prompt action taken by the police after the incident. Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister and the police administration, he said that he received full cooperation and that action was being taken swiftly.

The government has clarified that maintaining law and order is the top priority and such incidents involving any citizen will be taken seriously and strict action will be taken.

The capital region will become an economic powerhouse, with rapid development on the lines of metropolitan cities.

Modern infrastructure and connectivity will gain momentum

Raipur, May 6, 2026: To accelerate planned urbanization and balanced regional development in Chhattisgarh, the creation of the State Capital Region (SCR) has been approved. This region will encompass Raipur, Durg-Bhilai, and Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. With the passage of the bill in the Assembly, this ambitious project has been formally initiated.

The State Government believes that this initiative will play a vital role in ensuring planned development of the capital region as well as establishing Chhattisgarh as a major economic and industrial hub of Central India.

Integrated development based on national model

The State Capital Region will be developed along the lines of the country's major urban models—the National Capital Region, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority. This model will integrate various cities and implement regionally planned development, ensuring a balanced expansion of infrastructure, housing, transportation, and economic activities, and optimal utilization of resources.

Chief Minister's initiative gives new impetus to development

Developed at the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai and under the guidance of Finance Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary, this plan aims to manage rapid urbanization and provide modern and quality amenities to citizens. The government's focus is on building an urban ecosystem that provides quality housing, high-quality education and health services, encourages industry and trade, and promotes development while maintaining environmental balance.

Comprehensive preparations for 50 lakh population by 2031

The State Capital Region is projected to have a population of over 5 million by 2031. The government is developing long-term plans to accommodate this potential growth. These plans include developing a modern transportation system, expanding roads and connectivity, strengthening water, electricity, and sanitation services, and expanding smart urban amenities. A budget provision has been made for surveys for the proposed metro rail project from Raipur to Durg, ensuring fast, safe, and accessible transportation in the region.

Capital Region Development Authority will coordinate operations

To effectively develop and manage the State Capital Region, the Capital Region Development Authority has been established, which will serve as the central regulatory and coordinating body for the entire region. The Authority will be responsible for formulating long-term development plans, implementing infrastructure projects, attracting investment, and coordinating between various departments and agencies. The Chief Minister will be its Chairman, with Ministers, Chief Secretaries, and senior officials from various departments as its members. An Executive Committee has also been formed to oversee the effective implementation of the plans.

Legal basis strengthens development

To provide a legal basis for this ambitious project, The Chhattisgarh Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2025 has been enacted. This Act clearly defines the structure, powers, functioning, and financial authority of the Authority, ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in development work.

Strong financial resources

The State Government has established a Capital Region Development Fund and a Recurring Fund for this project. The Authority has also been empowered to levy special cesses, raise financial resources for the project, and prepare its own annual budget. This will ensure the continued availability of financial resources necessary for development work.

Rural development will get a new impetus on the occasion of Good Governance Festival in Chhattisgarh.

Raipur, May 6, 2026: A major campaign for development and public service is set to begin tomorrow, May 7, in Chhattisgarh's gram panchayats. Under the aegis of Good Governance Festival, grand celebrations of Rice Festival, Employment Day, and Housing Day will be held simultaneously in panchayats across the state. The primary objective of this special initiative is to accelerate rural development projects and provide immediate solutions to existing problems on the ground.

Key objectives and solutions

Rural beneficiaries are at the center of this campaign. The primary goal of the event is to resolve pending complaints and technical issues related to MNREGA and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) on the spot. To provide eligible beneficiaries with detailed information about the government's public welfare schemes.

Three main pillars of development

On Employment Day, May 7th, an intensive review of MNREGA works will be conducted, and an action plan will be formulated to create new employment opportunities for the future. Priority will be given to pending cases under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The government's special goal is to complete the approved houses within the next 90 days. Under the "More Village-More Water-More Taria" campaign for water conservation, there will be special discussions and work on the theme "Nava Taria Aay Ke Sura", so that livelihoods can be increased through fisheries or other means.

Good governance through technology and participation

Now, accessing information about schemes will be even easier. The government is promoting a QR code-based information system, which will ensure transparency. Active participation of local public representatives, women's self-help groups, and youth has been ensured to make this campaign a success. This event is not just a government exercise, but a major step towards making Chhattisgarh's villages self-reliant and empowered.

Delhi. The race for the playoffs in the current IPL season is heating up. Chennai Super Kings defeated Delhi Capitals by eight wickets on Tuesday to register their second consecutive victory. With this win, Chennai kept their playoff hopes alive.

There have been no major changes in the points table at the moment. Chennai, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, remains in sixth place with 10 points from 10 matches.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel's Delhi team is in seventh place with 8 points. The road ahead is challenging for Delhi, as they will need to win all their remaining matches to reach the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad have a golden opportunity to become the table topper. If they win their upcoming matches, they could jump straight to the top and move closer to the playoffs.

Punjab Kings currently lead the table with 13 points. Shreyas Iyer's team needs at least two more wins to secure a playoff spot. Usually, 16 points is considered a safe bet for playoff berths.

In terms of individual performance, KL Rahul holds the Orange Cap with 445 runs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Anshul Kamboj lead the bowling attack with 17 wickets each. Overall, the tournament's math is still open, and the playoff picture is changing with each match.

Delhi. The Indian stock market saw a strong rally on Wednesday, May 6. The BSE Sensex jumped more than 300 points to trade at 77,350, while the Nifty 50 also rose more than 100 points to around 24,150. This rally was primarily driven by strong buying in the banking and auto sectors.

Of the 30 Sensex stocks, 24 advanced, while only 6 declined. Stocks like InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, and Trent Limited saw gains of up to 3%.

Among sectoral indices, public sector banking stocks saw the most buying, rising nearly 2%. Auto, financial services, IT, metals, and private banking sectors also gained up to 1%.

Top Nifty gainers included IndiGo, Shriram Finance and Bajaj Finserv, while stocks like Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and Reliance Industries declined marginally.

Global markets also showed positive signs. Asian markets, including the Kospi, Nikkei, and Hang Seng, closed higher, while US markets—the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq, and S&P 500—also closed higher on May 5th.

However, foreign investors (FIIs) have sold shares worth Rs 8,834 crore in the last 7 days, while domestic investors (DIIs) have continued buying.

This rise in the market today after the fall on Tuesday has strengthened the confidence of investors, although the future direction will depend on global signals and investor activities.

Surguja. A district-level workers' conference was held today at the PG College Auditorium in Ambikapur, with the aim of connecting the district's workers with various government welfare schemes and speeding up their registration process. At the event, public representatives and officials shared detailed information about the schemes implemented for the upliftment of workers.

Lok Sabha MP Shri Chintamani Maharaj, who was present as the chief guest, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai. He said, "Today, there is no sector of society that can succeed without workers. It is the hard work of workers that builds a nation." He directed officials to widely publicize the schemes to ensure registration of even the last-mile workers.

Special guest of the program, Lundra MLA Mr. Prabodh Minj said that every person is a laborer in some form or the other and hard work is the basis of family's livelihood. He encouraged the laborers present to take advantage of the schemes by getting themselves registered as laborers. Meanwhile, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Youth Commission Mr. Vishwa Vijay Singh Tomar told the laborers who came from the development block that the government is running public welfare schemes for your benefit so that people from every section can get the benefit of the schemes. All of you should take information about the schemes run by the Labor Department and take advantage of the scheme. Municipal Corporation Ambikapur Mayor Mrs. Manjusha Bhagat said that the government is running various schemes to honor women power. The government's intention is that women should become self-reliant. She motivated the laborers to take advantage of the schemes run by the Labor Department.

Public representatives distributed checks and served food to beneficiaries.
During the program, public representatives honored beneficiaries of various government schemes by distributing checks. The public representatives personally served food to the workers. During this program, the workers demonstrated discipline, queuing up and eating peacefully in their turn. Addressing
the labor officer
conference, Labor Officer Mr. Nitesh Vishwakarma stated that several important schemes are being implemented by the Chhattisgarh Labor State Social Security Board and the Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. He provided detailed information about the Chief Minister's Labor Senior Citizen Assistance Scheme, the Chief Minister's Noni Babu Meritorious Education Promotion Scheme, and the Chief Minister's Construction Labor Death and Disability Assistance Scheme. He urged the workers participating in the program to register and take advantage of these beneficiary-oriented schemes. Councilors Shri Alok Dubey and Deepak Yadav and public representatives along with a large number of workers, officers and employees of the Labour Department from various development blocks of the district were present in the conference.

Raipur. Finance Minister OP Choudhary visited the Innovation Mahakumbh 1.0 held at Shaheed Mahendra Karma University in Bastar and inspected various stalls. During the event, he closely observed the innovations developed by youth from different regions of the state and Bastar and commended their efforts.

Finance Minister Chaudhary, while interacting with the youth, said that if we become worshippers of Goddess Saraswati, Goddess Lakshmi herself will come with us. Describing knowledge and skills as the key to success, he inspired the youth to continuously learn and develop themselves. He said that today is the era of knowledge-based economy, in which innovation and technical skills play an important role. Such events provide a platform to the youth to showcase their ideas and give them direction to move forward. The innovators present at the program presented their projects and ideas, which included many useful models related to technology, agriculture, education and solutions to local problems.

The Finance Minister praised these efforts, saying that the state's youth can make significant contributions to development with their new thinking and energy. Events like Innovation Mahakumbh 1.0 are proving to be an important initiative in fostering a culture of innovation in the state and empowering youth to become self-reliant.