It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of children's health in this increasing heat – Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai

Raipur 16 April 2026/Keeping in mind the increasing heat and the impact of heat wave in the state, giving top priority to the safety of children's health, on the instructions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, a partial amendment has been made in the duration of summer vacation of schools. Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai said that it is the responsibility of all of us to ensure the safety of children's health in this increasing heat. Keeping in mind the health and safety of children, it has been decided to implement the pre-scheduled summer vacation earlier, so that the health of children can be protected in this scorching heat.

According to the order issued by the School Education Department Ministry, Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the summer vacation previously announced from 01 May 2026 to 15 June 2026 has been amended and now the holiday has been declared from 20 April 2026 to 15 June 2026. This order will be applicable to all government, aided, non-aided and private schools of the state.

We must ensure children’s safety and health amid rising heat: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur, April 16, 2026/ In view of the rising heatwave conditions in the state, Chhattisgarh government has revised the schedule of summer vacations for schools, prioritising the health and safety of children. Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the School Education Department has revised the summer break.

Chief Minister said ensuring children’s health during extreme heat is a collective responsibility, and the decision has been taken to protect them from adverse conditions.

According to the order issued by the School Education Department from Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, the summer vacation, earlier scheduled from May 1 to June 15, will now be observed from April 20 to June 15, 2026. The order will apply to all government, aided, and private schools across the state.

Kawardha: A shocking incident has emerged from Kawardha, where a businessman, along with his wife and two children, consumed poison. The cause was crores of rupees in debt and mounting pressure.

It is reported that businessman Yogesh Jain had outstanding debts of approximately ₹4 crore. The debt burden became so severe that he was mentally broken. According to his family, he was also receiving threats from certain individuals, which further exacerbated his stress.

Under pressure, he and his wife and children consumed poison. When their condition worsened, they were immediately rushed to the hospital, where all four remain in critical condition.

Police also recovered a three-page suicide note at the scene, which mentioned debt, financial problems, and mental stress. The police are now proceeding with the investigation based on that note.

The police are currently investigating every angle, including whether debt was the sole reason or whether there were other pressures. Investigations have also begun into the individuals named in the note.

Dhamtari. In Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, the Forest Department took major action and bulldozed illegal encroachments. On Tuesday, a joint team of forest, revenue, and police launched an operation in the Palgaon and Gondlanala areas of the South Singpur Forest Range, freeing 116,596 hectares of forest land from encroachment.

As soon as the team arrived with bulldozers, panic broke out among the encroachers. Many scrambled to save their belongings, while others protested. The situation became tense for a while, but the police brought the situation under control.

During this period, 54 illegal encroachments were taken action against, and the hut-like houses were demolished. Officials say that notices and warnings had already been issued, but new encroachments continued despite this.

The Forest Department has made it clear that this action will not stop here. Such encroachments will be continuously removed and forest land will be completely cleared.

Raigarh: A major cyber fraud racket operating under the guise of marriage has been busted in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh. Cyber ​​police have arrested a gang that was luring people across the country through fake matrimonial sites.

From the outside, this center appeared to be a RTO and document processing center, but a different game was going on inside. In separate rooms, fake documents were created, videos were edited, and a call center was operated using young women who lured people into marriage and extorted money from them.

Twenty-six accused have been arrested in this case, including the center's operator and the young women working there. Police have seized 55 mobile phones, 13 laptops, a printer, and bank accounts from the scene.

The shocking thing is that from the year 2022 till now, this gang has made 7,693 people its victims and defrauded them of about Rs 1 crore 11 lakh.

The mastermind, Kapil Garg, was previously an RTO agent, but after his ID was suspended, he set up this entire fake network. Police say they will continue to crack down on such cyber gangs, and people need to be cautious with online services.

Raipur. A major accident occurred at the Vedanta Power Plant in Raigarh. The situation spiraled out of control after a boiler explosion. Five workers have been officially confirmed dead, while reports of eight fatalities are emerging from the scene.

The accident was so horrific that more than 50 workers were burned. The explosion caused chaos in the plant, with cries and screams heard everywhere.

Superintendent of Police Prafull Kumar Thakur confirmed five deaths, but rescue operations are ongoing and the toll is expected to rise. All the injured have been sent to Raigarh Hospital, where several are reported to be in critical condition.

At present, the administration and rescue team are present at the spot and investigation into the cause of the accident has been started.

Bilaspur. Late last night, a shocking incident occurred at Devkinandan Chowk in Bilaspur. Around midnight, passersby noticed the actions of a young man and woman riding a scooter.

According to eyewitnesses, the girl was not sitting on the scooter in a normal manner, rather people were shocked to see the way she was sitting and a discussion started on the road.

The incident has sparked debate on social media and in the city, with some calling it a violation of traffic rules and public decorum, while many citizens expressed outrage.

Local people say that action should be taken in such cases on the basis of CCTV footage so that discipline is maintained in public places.

Now people are demanding strict monitoring and action from the administration.

New Delhi: A new political controversy has erupted in the country regarding women's reservation and delimitation. 262 prominent figures have written a letter to the central government, clearly stating that there is no transparency regarding these bills.

These people allege that the government is preparing to bring major changes without making the draft public, whereas this is a matter affecting the entire democracy and every voter.

Celebrities have demanded that the draft bill be presented to the public and discussed openly. They say this is required under the 2014 policy, but is not being done this time.

Interestingly, not all of these people are against women's reservation, but rather support it. However, they say the method of implementing it is wrong.
All eyes are now on the special session of Parliament scheduled for April 16th to 18th, where these major bills may be introduced.

Raipur, April 14, 2026/Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai has paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.

Chief Minister Sai said that Babasaheb Ambedkar was a strong advocate of social justice, equality, and human rights. He dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of the deprived, exploited, and backward sections of society and laid the foundation for an India where every individual enjoys equal opportunity and respect.

The Chief Minister said that the life of Baba Saheb teaches us that positive changes can be brought in the society through education.

He said that the Chhattisgarh government is committed to the all-round development of every section of society by embracing the ideals and principles of Baba Saheb. Various state government schemes are being implemented with the aim of ensuring equal access to development and opportunities for the last mile of society.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that our effort is that every citizen of the state should become empowered in the field of education, health, employment and social security and move forward towards self-reliance.

The Chief Minister appealed to the people of the state to imbibe the thoughts and values ​​of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in their lives and play an active role in building a just, harmonious and strong society.

Raipur, Taking forward the Indian philosophy of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah…”, Chhattisgarh has taken another historic step towards ensuring the well-being of all.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday inaugurated the state-level launch of the ‘Atal Aarogya Lab’ at the District Hospital in Sukma. This initiative will lay the foundation for a new revolution in the healthcare sector of the state, especially benefiting citizens in remote and forested regions by providing modern and accessible diagnostic facilities.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government is firmly committed to ensuring that quality, affordable, and timely healthcare services reach every citizen. He stated that through the Atal Aarogya Lab, free diagnostic facilities will now be available across 1,046 health institutions in the state—from district hospitals to primary health centres—benefiting lakhs of citizens directly. Through this advanced digital system, patients will be able to access 133 types of tests free of cost. Test reports will be delivered directly to patients via SMS and WhatsApp, reducing the need for repeated hospital visits and accelerating the treatment process. This system will not only save time but also make healthcare services more transparent and accessible.

“The state’s diagnostic infrastructure is being significantly strengthened. This will enable faster and more accurate detection of diseases, including blood-related tests, ensuring timely treatment and improving recovery rates,” said Shri Sai. He emphasized that expanding such modern facilities in remote regions like Bastar is a key priority of the state government, so that residents do not have to depend on big cities for better treatment. The Atal Aarogya Lab will serve as a strong foundation in this direction.

It is noteworthy that the District Hospital Sukma already offers facilities such as a blood bank, sonography, X-ray, ECG, emergency services, cesarean deliveries, NRC, and dialysis. With the addition of the Atal Aarogya Lab, healthcare services here will become even more robust and comprehensive.

On this occasion, Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Bastar MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Women’s Commission Member Ms. Deepika Sori, Bastar Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, IG Shri Sundarraj P., along with other administrative officials and distinguished citizens, were present.

Raipur - Chhattisgarh has taken another historic step towards realizing the Indian vision of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah...”.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today inaugurated the state-level "Atal Arogya Lab" at the Sukma District Hospital. This initiative will usher in a new revolution in healthcare services in the state, providing modern and accessible diagnostic facilities, especially to citizens in remote and forested areas.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated on this occasion that the state government has a clear commitment to providing excellent, affordable, and timely healthcare services to every citizen of the state. He added that through Atal Arogya Labs, free testing will now be available in 1,046 health institutions across the state—from district hospitals to primary health centers—which will directly benefit millions of citizens. Through this state-of-the-art digital system, 133 types of tests will be made available free of charge to patients. Test reports will be delivered directly to patients via SMS and WhatsApp, eliminating the need for repeated hospital visits and expediting the treatment process. This system will not only save time but also make healthcare services more transparent and accessible.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that the state's diagnostic system is being further strengthened. This will enable rapid and accurate diagnosis of various diseases, including through blood tests, which will significantly increase the recovery rate of patients by initiating timely treatment. He also stated that expanding such modern facilities, especially in remote areas like Bastar, is a priority for the state government so that residents do not have to rely on larger cities for better treatment. The Atal Arogya Lab will provide a strong foundation in this direction.

It is noteworthy that the District Hospital, Sukma, already has facilities such as a blood bank, sonography, X-ray, ECG, emergency services, caesarean delivery, NRC, and dialysis. Now, with the addition of the Atal Arogya Lab, the health services here will become even more robust and comprehensive.

On this occasion, Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Bastar MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Women Commission member Ms. Deepika Sori, Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, IG Shri Sundarraj P. along with other administrative officers and dignitaries were present.

Raipur: The grand launch and conclusion of "My India Budget Quest 2026," held at Triple IT, Naya Raipur, concluded successfully. This national initiative, run under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, provided an effective platform to connect youth with the budget and policy-making process. The attendance of 471 youth, selected from nearly 30,000 participants across the country, demonstrated the program's breadth and competitiveness.

Grand celebration of My Bharat Budget Quest 2026

Chhattisgarh Tourism and Culture Minister Mr. Rajesh Agarwal attended the program as the chief guest. Addressing the youth, he said, "Youth power is the real power of a developed India." He explained that the budget is not just a compilation of statistics, but a roadmap for the country's development. He urged the youth to use this platform to learn, reflect, ask questions, and express their views, thereby strengthening democracy. He also emphasized that every citizen, especially the youth, must be aware of the use of taxpayer funds, which fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness.

Grand celebration of My Bharat Budget Quest 2026

Presenting the program outline, Mr. Arpit Tiwari, State Director of My Bharat Chhattisgarh, explained that the "My Bharat" initiative was announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on October 31, 2023. The organization works for, with, and by youth, with the motto "Sanskar through service." He explained that My Bharat offices are planned in all 763 districts of the country, with 17 new offices to be opened in Chhattisgarh. These offices will facilitate capacity building, training, and youth exchange programs for youth.

Grand celebration of My Bharat Budget Quest 2026

In his welcome address, Mr. Omprakash Vyas, Director of IIT Nava Raipur, stated that the attendance of the 471 selected participants is a testament to their talent, hard work, and commitment. He added that this is a historic occasion, when youth are being empowered not just as beneficiaries of schemes but as active participants in the nation-building process.

The two-day event featured insightful discussions on important national topics such as human capital development and sustainable agriculture, encouraging dialogue, innovation, and policy-oriented thinking among participants. The event provided young people with an opportunity to understand, discuss, and contribute to budgetary and developmental frameworks.

Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb attended the closing session as the chief guest and inspired the youth to realize the resolve of a developed India 2047. Member of Parliament Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, participating as the special guest, highlighted various aspects of the budget. A major highlight of the program was the virtual address by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, in which he described the role of youth as crucial in building a developed India and called upon them to actively contribute towards inclusive and sustainable development.

At the end of the event, Mr. Nitin Sharma, Deputy Director, My Bharat Chhattisgarh, expressed his gratitude to all the guests and participants. The event concluded with a powerful message of youth-led change, demonstrating that when given the right platform and opportunity, young people can play a vital role in nation-building. 'My Bharat Budget Quest 2026' has emerged as not just a competition, but a significant initiative towards empowering young people to become aware, capable, and responsible citizens.

Raipur: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is effectively implementing various public welfare schemes to promote women's economic empowerment and self-reliance. Through these schemes, women in rural areas are no longer limited to domestic responsibilities but are moving towards self-employment and playing a vital role in strengthening their families' economic condition. The success story of Mrs. Rajni Uike, a resident of Gram Panchayat Bateri, Katghora development block, Korba district, is a powerful example of this change.

Mrs. Rajni Uikey has completed her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). After completing her studies, she didn't want to be confined to being a housewife; instead, she was determined to do something new on her own. The year 2022 marked a turning point in her life when she learned about the Bihan Yojana. She joined the Jai Laxmi Self-Help Group and took a step towards realizing her dreams.

After joining the group, she received various types of training, guidance, and financial support, which boosted her confidence and morale. Through the self-help group, she received 8,000 rupees from the RF fund and 30,000 rupees from the CIF fund. She also secured a 1.5 lakh rupee loan from the bank and started businesses like a poultry farm, photocopying, and a choice center from her home.

Today, Mrs. Uikey successfully manages all these businesses. Her efforts have not only increased her income but also significantly improved her family's financial situation. Currently, her annual income has reached approximately ₹110,000, earning her the nickname "Lakhpati Didi." She explains that previously, her husband was solely responsible for the family, but now she is also contributing financially. This has empowered and empowered her family. She explained that the scheme has brought positive changes to her life, and she is no longer dependent on anyone. Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai for this achievement, she said that the government's schemes have provided her with employment opportunities, enabling her to become self-reliant.

Raipur: A workers' conference was organised recently at Veer Savarkar Bhawan in Jagdalpur with the aim of empowering construction workers and connecting them with government schemes. In this prestigious programme organised by the Labour Department under the guidance of Chhattisgarh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, the workers who are called the backbone of development were not only honoured but were also benefited from various schemes. A large number of workers from remote areas of the entire Bastar district participated in this conference, due to which the entire campus was filled with their enthusiastic presence.

Present as the chief guests, Bastar MP Mr. Mahesh Kashyap, Municipal Corporation Chairman Mr. Khem Singh Dewangan, and other public representatives inaugurated the event by lighting a lamp. In their addresses, the public representatives described workers as the true builders of the nation and emphasized that the government's primary goal is to improve the living standards of the last mile. Addressing the event, MP Mr. Mahesh Kashyap stated that workers are not merely wage earners, but the foundation of building a new India. He urged workers to be vigilant about their rights and assured them that the government will always stand with them. Mr. Kashyap emphasized the benefits of the 31 government-run schemes for workers and other security measures, stating that registration is mandatory for every worker so that government assistance can reach them without any obstacles. Municipal Corporation Chairman Mr. Khem Singh Dewangan also addressed the event.

Raipur. Jal Jeevan Mission is changing the picture of life in forest areas and remote areas. In Tekapani village, which was remote and Maoist affected and was facing drinking water crisis in Antagarh development block of Kanker district, now clean drinking water is being supplied to every house due to the effective implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. Under the ambitious Jal Jeevan Mission of the Government of India and the State Government, the target is to provide minimum 55 litres of pure drinking water per day to every person in every rural family. Achieving this target in sensitive villages like Tekapani is a big achievement.

The people of Tekapani, located approximately 65 kilometers from the district headquarters, Kanker, previously relied on stream and stream water for drinking and domestic use. During the summer, when water levels dropped, women had to travel long distances to fetch water. Sarpanch Mr. Sudaram Kavade explains that a solar-based water supply system installed in the village now provides clean drinking water to every household. Water quality is also being regularly monitored, with "Jal Bahinis," Anganwadi workers, Mitanins, and village women playing an active role.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 20 tap connections have been provided in Tekapani, ensuring access to clean water to every household. Mr. Anil Nureti, the village pump operator, explained that villagers no longer have to rely on streams, and life has become much simpler. The Jal Jeevan Mission has not only alleviated the water crisis, but has also improved health and reduced waterborne diseases.