Raipur. Political activity has intensified following the devastating accident at the Vedanta Power Plant in Sakti. Amidst the deaths of 20 workers and injuries to over 30, Leader of the Opposition Charandas Mahant personally arrived at the scene to assess the situation.

State Congress President Deepak Baij and many other leaders were also present with him.

Upon reaching the spot, Mahant expressed deep sorrow over the accident and clearly said that a serious investigation should be conducted into this entire matter and strict action should be taken against those responsible.

The area has been in a state of panic since the plant accident. The injured are being treated, and rescue teams are working tirelessly.

Raipur. Amidst the ongoing controversy over delimitation in the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has made a major statement, trying to change the entire narrative.

Shah clearly stated that this bill will not harm the states of South India, but will directly benefit them. While the South currently has 129 seats, the new proposal will increase this number to 195.

Accusing the opposition of spreading confusion, he said that the percentage of seats will remain roughly the same, meaning no state's strength will decrease. Citing examples, he said that Tamil Nadu's seats will increase from 39 to 59, Karnataka's from 28 to 42, and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana's seats will also see a significant increase.

Most importantly, Shah made it clear that this entire system will not be implemented before 2029. This means that until then, elections will be held under the old system.

He also gave a major update regarding the caste census and said that caste data will also be added during the counting of individuals in the second phase.

Nari Shakti Vandan Act marks a historic step towards women’s empowerment in India

Chief Minister attends Nari Shakti Vandan Maha Sammelan

Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the Nari Shakti Vandan Maha Sammelan held at Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur on Wednesday. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, he described passing of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, 2023 a historic step that will ensure “greater participation of women in decision-making processes” across the country.

Extending his greetings to women, Chief Minister stated that in India’s Sanatan tradition, women hold the highest position. “We worship the divine feminine,” he remarked, highlighting that Goddess Lakshmi represents prosperity, Saraswati symbolises knowledge, and Durga embodies strength. He added that although efforts for women’s reservation were made earlier, the decisive implementation became possible only under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, reflecting “firm will and visionary governance.”

Chief Minister also cited key initiatives such as Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and Mahtari Vandan Yojana, stating that these schemes have paved the way for “inclusive and sustainable empowerment of women.” He informed that the state is celebrating this year as ‘Mahtari Gaurav Varsh’, under which nearly 70 lakh women are receiving Rs. 1,000 per month through the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. This financial support is enabling women to progress in education, healthcare, and livelihood sectors, fostering “economic independence at the grassroots level.”

Shri Sai further stated that Naxalism in the Bastar region has been effectively curbed, and the state is now moving steadily on a path of development. Describing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act as one of the most important decisions of the 21st century, he said it will provide “new strength to women’s participation and leadership in governance.” During the event, the resolve of “women’s role in decision-making from Panchayat to Parliament—preparing a new India” was reiterated.

He noted that over 14 lakh women are already actively contributing in Panchayati Raj institutions, reflecting their growing confidence and leadership capacity. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated women with flowers and extended his congratulations and best wishes.

Speaking at the event, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade emphasised that women’s determination and strong willpower are enabling them to take significant decisions. She said that when given responsibility, women can transform the nation’s future, reinforcing the idea of “equal participation in nation-building.”

Former Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Saroj Pandey stated that the Act will be implemented by 2029, under which women will receive 33 percent reservation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, ensuring “fair representation in legislative institutions.”

The programme was attended by MP Smt. Roopkumari Chaudhary, MP Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, Padma Shri awardee Sushri Usha Barle, MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Chairperson of the Child Protection Commission Smt. Varnika Sharma, renowned hockey player Sushri Neeta Dongre, and several other public representatives and distinguished citizens.

Special campaign to be launched in the state for prompt redressal of public grievances

Camps to be held in rural and urban areas : 01 May to 10 June

Emphasis on time-bound resolution of public issues and public participation

Raipur, 

In order to ensure prompt and effective resolution of public grievances, the Government of Chhattisgarh will organize “Sushasan Tihar 2026” on a large scale this year as well. In this regard, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has issued a letter to all District Collectors of the state, providing detailed guidelines for the successful organization of the campaign.

In his letter, the Chief Minister has stated that time-bound redressal of public grievances is the cornerstone of good governance, and providing transparent, simple, and prompt services to citizens is the top priority of the state government. Considering the positive outcomes of last year’s Sushasan Tihar, it will be conducted on a much larger scale this year.

Instructions to resolve pending cases by 30 April

The Chief Minister has directed Collectors to conduct a special program to resolve pending cases in the district by 30 April 2026. This includes priority resolution of land-related cases such as mutation, partition, demarcation, pending wage payments under MGNREGA, pending payments under beneficiary-oriented schemes, issuance of income, caste, and residence certificates, electricity and transformer-related issues, and handpump repairs. He has also directed special focus on ensuring eligible beneficiaries receive benefits under schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, ration cards, Ayushman Bharat, and social security pensions.

Public grievance redressal camps from 01 May to 10 June

Under Sushasan Tihar, public grievance redressal camps will be organized across the state from 01 May to 10 June 2026. In rural areas, camps will be held in clusters of 15 to 20 Gram Panchayats, while in urban areas they will be organized based on ward clusters. These camps will include extensive awareness drives regarding various government schemes, and eligible beneficiaries will be provided benefits on the spot. Directions have also been given to ensure that applications received in the camps are resolved within a maximum of one month and that applicants are informed about the status of their applications.

The Chief Minister has instructed that during the campaign, Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Members of Legislative Assembly, along with the Chief Secretary and in-charge Secretaries, will periodically visit the camps to inspect arrangements and interact with the public.

Chief Minister to conduct surprise inspections and review meetings

During the campaign, Chief Minister Shri Sai himself will visit various districts to conduct surprise inspections of development works and implementation of schemes, and will take feedback from beneficiaries. He will also hold review meetings with officials at district headquarters to assess the status of disposal of applications received in the camps and the progress of various schemes. After inspections and review meetings, the Chief Minister will address press briefings and meet with various social organizations and citizens to gather suggestions.

Extensive publicity for public participation

The Public Relations Department and district administrations have been directed to prepare an effective action plan for wide publicity of Sushasan Tihar through various media, so that maximum citizens can participate in the campaign. The Chief Minister has urged all Collectors to ensure advance preparations and transform this campaign into a mass movement with maximum public participation, ensuring that citizens receive the full benefits of government schemes.

Raipur, / Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai today spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Shri Samrat Chaudhary over telephone and extended his heartiest congratulations and best wishes to him on assuming the new responsibility.

Chief Minister Mr. Sai stated that under the leadership of Mr. Samrat Chaudhary, Bihar will establish new dimensions of development, good governance, and public welfare. He expressed confidence that Mr. Chaudhary's experience, leadership, and dedication to public service will ensure rapid progress in Bihar.

It is noteworthy that Shri Samrat Chaudhary has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar today.

Chief Minister launches state-level campaign for online self-enumeration under Census 2027

Appeal to citizens for active participation in the census campaign

Accurate census data helps in preparing plans for the coming years.

Raipur, April 16, 2026: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today launched the Census 2027 campaign by conducting an online self-enumeration under the Census 2027 program at the Chief Minister's residence in Raipur. He personally entered his information on the portal, urging citizens to actively participate in this national endeavor.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai stated that India is conducting the world's largest census campaign, and the online self-enumeration process has begun in Chhattisgarh today. He added that citizens can self-enter their family information through the online portal between April 16 and April 30, 2026. He added that this year the census has been modernized and digitalized, making the process more transparent and accessible.
Chief Minister Shri Sai emphasized that the census is not merely a collection of data, but a foundation for determining the future direction of the state and the country. Based on this data, the government formulates plans for the coming years, ensuring that the benefits of development reach every segment of society effectively. The Chief Minister stated that the first phase of the census will begin on May 1, 2026, involving house listing and enumeration. Until May 30, enumerators will go door-to-door to collect information on residential and non-residential buildings, their condition, use, and basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, electricity, cooking gas, internet, and communication systems.
He urged the people of the state to provide accurate, clear, and complete information to the enumerators whenever they visit, as each piece of information plays a crucial role in shaping the state's development. He stated that all personal information provided during the census is kept completely confidential and will be used only for statistical and policy purposes.
The Chief Minister stated that Chhattisgarh is rapidly progressing on the path of development, and the census plays a crucial role in realizing the vision of "Developed Chhattisgarh 2047." Accurate data lays the foundation for better planning and effective development. He appealed to all citizens of the state to make this massive campaign a celebration of public participation and to actively cooperate.
During this, Additional Chief Secretary and Census Nodal Mr. Manoj Kumar Pingua, Collector Raipur Dr. Gaurav Kumar Singh, Census Director Mr. Kartikeya Goyal and other officials were present.

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.