00 Players from Chhattisgarh also hoisted the flag, Rishika Kashyap won silver and Lucky Babu Markam won bronze
Raipur. Along with the conclusion of the weightlifting competition under India Tribal Games 2026, the results of the championship team were also declared, in which Arunachal Pradesh achieved the honour of becoming the overall champion in the men's category. Mizoram was the first runner up and Assam was the second runner up. In the women's category, Assam performed brilliantly and won the title of overall champion, while Odisha was the first runner up and Chhattisgarh was the second runner up.

The weightlifting competitions under the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, concluded today with a spectacular finish. Throughout the event, athletes from across the country enthralled the spectators with their outstanding displays of strength, technique, and confidence. Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap and Raipur Mayor Mrs. Meenal Choubey were special guests at the closing ceremony. They met with the athletes, encouraged them, and honored the winners with medals. They also wished the athletes a bright future.
Among the key events, Sambo Lapung of Arunachal Pradesh won the gold medal in the men's 110 kg weight category with a lift of 299 kg. David Lalzawmdika of Mizoram won the silver medal with a lift of 270 kg, and Lucky Babu Markam of Chhattisgarh won the bronze medal with a lift of 261 kg. Lucky Babu's performance was a proud moment for the home crowd. In the men's 110 kg category, David Johmingmawia of Mizoram won the gold medal with a total of 290 kg. Gugulothu Raja Sekhar of Andhra Pradesh (255 kg) took the silver, and Manash Pratim Sonwal of Assam (223 kg) won the bronze. This category saw intense competition among the athletes.

The women's competitions were also thrilling. In the 86 kg category, Sakshi Bandu Burkule of Maharashtra won the gold medal by lifting 150 kg. Rishika Kashyap of Chhattisgarh, with a brilliant performance, won the silver medal by lifting 121 kg and credited her coach for the medal. Bitupuna Deori of Assam took the bronze. In another women's category (over 86 kg), Zosangjuali of Mizoram won the gold medal with 140 kg, while Pinky Boro of Assam and Gunjan Uikey of Madhya Pradesh took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Athletes from Chhattisgarh also made a strong presence in the competition. After his performance, Lucky Babu Markam said that hosting the Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh is a great opportunity for the rural and tribal youth of the state. This will inspire them to achieve a bigger stage and progress.
Technical arrangements were well-organized throughout the event, and the competitions were conducted in a transparent manner. The enthusiasm of the spectators also energized the athletes' performances. The weightlifting events at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 proved that the country's tribal regions possess immense sporting talent, capable of making a distinct identity for themselves at the national level if given the right platform and opportunity.

Jashpur goes digital, pay taxes from home using QR code 

 Raipur - In the Jashpur Municipal Corporation area of ​​Chhattisgarh, there will no longer be the need to visit offices to pay taxes. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai on Saturday launched HDFC Bank's "Digital Door" facility, allowing citizens to pay water tax, property tax, and shop tax from home by scanning a QR code. Under this new system, HDFC Bank has developed a special QR code for the Jashpur Municipal Corporation. A unique QR code has been generated for each household and is being posted door-to-door. This QR code will contain the homeowner's name, house number, mobile number, and complete tax dues. By scanning the QR code, citizens will be able to view their dues via DDN number, mobile number, or property ID, and make secure payments via UID, debit card, or net banking. They will receive an instant digital receipt upon payment. The Property Tax Information System implemented in the Jashpur Municipal Corporation is a modern, ICT-based system that makes revenue collection transparent, simple, and efficient. Currently, around 4600 households have been included under this system, which includes residential, commercial and industrial properties. This initiative will not only save time and effort for the citizens but will also increase transparency and efficiency in the functioning of the municipality. The digital payment system will accelerate revenue collection and strengthen the urban administration. On this occasion, District Panchayat Chairman Mr. Salik Sai, Municipal Council Vice President Mr. Yash Pratap Singh Judev, Mr. Krishna Rai, Collector Mr. Rohit Vyas, Municipal Council Officer Mr. Yogeshwar Upadhyay, HDFC Bank Regional Manager Mr. Sarafat Ali and Branch Manager Mr. Deepak Das along with other public representatives and officials were present.

Raipur . Women and Child Development Minister and Bhatgaon MLA Smt. Laxmi Rajwade listened attentively to the 132nd edition of Mann Ki Baat at her residence office in Birpur. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of the country, Shri Narendra Modi shared his views on important contemporary and nation-building topics like public participation, women empowerment, cleanliness, innovation and self-reliant India. Minister Smt. Rajwade said that 'Mann Ki Baat' is not just a dialogue programme, but it is a powerful platform to give a positive direction to the society and to connect the common citizens with the process of nation-building. 

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thoughts inspire the countrymen and provide a new direction to social awareness. He expressed particular happiness at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appreciation of the farmers of Korea district. In his address, Prime Minister Modi stated that the farmers of Korea district have taken commendable initiatives in the field of water conservation by constructing small recharge ponds and soak pits. This innovative initiative has been adopted by more than 1,200 farmers, which has not only strengthened agriculture but also significantly improved groundwater levels. Minister Rajwade described this as an excellent example of change through public participation, saying that such efforts are an inspiration for the entire country and play a vital role in realizing the goal of a self-reliant India. A large number of local citizens, including public representatives, were present during the event.

Raipur . Mrs. Amrit Banjare says that she has produced approximately 80 tons of eggplant so far, earning her approximately 960,000 rupees. This income is significantly higher than her previous traditional farming, which has strengthened her financial situation.

Successful farmers Mrs. Amrit Bai Banjare and Mr. Shudhuram Banjare of Bamburdih village, Mahasamund Block, Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, have achieved remarkable success by adopting modern agricultural techniques despite limited resources. Amrit Banjare states that her educational qualification is up to the 5th grade. Previously, she used to cultivate paddy traditionally on her 2.87 hectares of land, but due to relatively low production and high costs, she was unable to earn sufficient profits.

In 2025-26, under the guidance of the Horticulture Department, she began cultivating grafted eggplant (variety Tacht 212) on her 1.45 hectare irrigated land. During this period, she practiced scientific farming using drip irrigation systems, mulching paper, and other modern agricultural equipment. These techniques not only saved water but also increased crop quality and yield. It is noteworthy that in 2025-26, Amrit Bai Banjare was awarded a grant of Rs. 30,000 by the Horticulture Department under the National Agricultural Development Scheme for grafted eggplant production on 0.40 hectares and a grant of Rs. 54,485 for Integrated Horticulture Development under the state-funded scheme. This support encouraged her to adopt modern techniques and helped reduce risk.

Raipur . During his visit to Bilaspur on Sunday, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai paid homage to Atal Bihari Vajpayee by unveiling his statue at the newly constructed "Atal Complex" near the Arpa River View. Giving a new direction to the overall development of the city, Chief Minister Sai inaugurated and performed the groundbreaking ceremony for various development projects worth over 26 crore 93 lakh rupees. 

Addressing the event, Chief Minister Sai said that Atal Bihari Vajpayee was not just a politician, but also a visionary of modern India, a brilliant orator, a sensitive poet, and the creator of the state of Chhattisgarh. He said that under Atal ji's leadership, Chhattisgarh was formed on November 1, 2000, which gave the state a new direction and identity for development.

Chief Minister Sai said that the statue of Atal ji is a meaningful initiative to preserve his historical personality, thoughts, and resolve for nation building. He said that this complex will inspire future generations and further strengthen the spirit of nation building in society.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has decided to construct "Atal Complexes" in all urban bodies to spread Atal ji's thoughts and ideals to the masses. He said that on December 25th, Atal Complexes were inaugurated in 115 urban bodies across the state, and this initiative is progressing steadily.

Chief Minister Sai stated that the state government is fully committed to the all-round development of Bilaspur, and the development works worth over ₹26 crore (approximately $26 billion) undertaken today will strengthen the city's infrastructure and provide a new impetus to civic amenities. He stated that concrete steps are being taken to modernize and equip the city through these developments.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai inaugurated various construction projects completed at a cost of approximately ₹12.43 crore (approximately $12.43 billion). These include the construction of the Atal Complex, the first floor of the Marathi Girls School building, the commercial complex at Imalipara, and the Reserve Police Station, which will contribute to urban development and strengthen civic amenities.

The Chief Minister also performed the groundbreaking ceremony for new development projects worth approximately ₹14.50 crore. These include road, drain, and pitching work in the Arpa area, road widening and renovation in the Jarhabhatta area, and the construction of a statue and platform of Lord Birsa Munda in Uslapur, which will strengthen the city's infrastructure and cultural identity.

00 Houses will be safe with the construction of embankment in the river - Deputy Chief Minister Sharma
Raipur. In order to stop erosion in Sakri river and to provide protection to the villagers from floods, today Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma performed the Bhoomi Pujan of the construction of 250 meter long embankment at a cost of Rs 4.08 crore in village Kodar. This important project will protect the houses situated on the river bank of village Kodar, will control the problem of erosion and will provide better disposal facilities to the villagers. 

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma inaugurated the construction work by performing a ritualistic puja at a ceremony held in Kodar, a dependent village of the Regakhar Panchayat. He stated that the state government prioritizes the development of rural areas and the safety of citizens. The ongoing erosion of the Sakri River has long been a source of inconvenience for villagers, and this embankment has been approved for construction. He explained that this 250-meter-long embankment will not only prevent river erosion but also reduce damage caused by water pressure during floods. This will protect homes along the river and provide relief to residents from frequent floods. Furthermore, sanitation facilities will also improve for villagers living along the river.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sharma stated that the state government is continuously working to improve the living standards of villagers. He reported that 142 houses have been approved in the village, and all eligible beneficiaries included in the survey list have been provided with housing. Following its promise, the government prioritized the housing scheme by approving it in its first cabinet meeting upon its formation. He added that to ensure villagers can easily access the benefits of the schemes in their villages, a digital facilitation center is being operated in the Gram Panchayat building, providing special facilities to women and the elderly. Furthermore, under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, an amount of ₹25,000 has been transferred to the accounts of beneficiaries in 25 installments, providing economic empowerment to women. The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the government's objective is not only to formulate schemes, but also to ensure their effective implementation, ensuring that benefits reach the last person and the overall development of villages.

All the matches were interesting and thrilling.

Raipur-

Under the Khelo India Tribal Games, all the matches of the men's hockey competition on the third day today at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in the capital Raipur were interesting and thrilling.

In the Pool A match, Jharkhand defeated Andhra Pradesh by 19-1. In Pool B matches, Assam defeated Goa by 7-3 and Odisha defeated Madhya Pradesh by 15-1. In the Pool A match, host Chhattisgarh defeated Karnataka by 7-1. All the matches played today were exciting, in which all the teams gave their best performance. In all the matches played today, the teams displayed excellent game and showed their full strength, due to which the spectators got to see exciting matches.

--Mini garden inaugurated, road divider plantation dedicated to public service --City beautification in Korba is taking on new dimensions every day
 

Raipur- The state's Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labor, Excise, and Public Enterprises, Mr. Lakhanlal Dewangan, unveiled Coleman's statue on Friday. A mini garden was also inaugurated in Civil Lines. Similarly, a road divider plantation in front of Pushpalata Udyan was dedicated to public service. Mayor Mrs. Sanjudevi Rajput was present on the occasion.

It is noteworthy that besides streamlining the city's arrangements, the Municipal Corporation Korba is setting new dimensions in beautifying the city and beautifying it. On one hand, complete focus is being placed on the cleanliness of the city, while on the other hand, work is being done on theme-based painting, drawing, mini horticulture and theme-based roadside plantation. In this series, the Municipal Corporation has installed a statue of Coleman near the Darri Barrage bridge. Similarly, a mini garden has been built by the Corporation near the Commissioner's bungalow in Civil Lines, which was also inaugurated by the Industry Minister and the Mayor. The Municipal Corporation Korba is also working on decorating the dividers of the city by planting multicolour flower plants on the road dividers. In this series, the corporation has planted Bougainvillea and Euphorbia multicolour flower plants in oval pots of emoji theme on the road divider located on the main road from Subhash Chowk Pushpalata Udyan towards Kosabadi. These were also dedicated to public service today.

On this occasion, Corporation Commissioner Mr. Ashutosh Pandey, Chairman Mr. Nutan Singh Thakur, Councilors Mr. Ashok Chavalani, Ajay Gond, Pankaj Devangan, Vaibhav Sharma, Narendra Patanwar, Akash Srivastava, Manoj Singh Rajput, Anil Yadav, Garden Superintendent Anand Singh Rathore, Assistant Engineer Rahul Mishra, Arun Mishra etc. along with other officers, employees and public representatives were present. 

Raipur/Delhi. Keeping in mind the safety of passengers, Indian Railways has taken major action. Tightening the noose on its own company Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Railways has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
According to the information, the complaint made by the passenger on the quality of food regarding the irregularities found in train number 21896 (Patna - Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express) on 15 March 2026 has been taken seriously. Taking action, a penalty of Rs 10 lakh has been imposed on IRCTC. A fine of Rs 50 lakh has been imposed on the concerned service provider and orders for termination of the contract have been given. Indian Railways spokesperson said that safety and quality of passengers is our top priority.

Indian Railways, through IRCTC, serves meals to over 1.5 million passengers daily across its vast network, making it one of the largest onboard food operations in the world. Passenger safety and food quality are the cornerstones of this mission. Any violation of these standards results in immediate, strict action.

Raipur. Swami Vivekananda Airport management has launched a new initiative for passengers to watch the IPL matches starting today. The airport building will broadcast live IPL 2026 matches starting this evening. For this purpose, two large screens have been installed at the airport. These screens have been placed at key locations so that maximum passengers can easily enjoy the matches. This facility will be especially beneficial for passengers waiting for their flights. Now they will be able to spend their free time enjoying cricket matches. This initiative is probably being undertaken for the first time in the country at Raipur Airport. This arrangement will continue throughout the IPL season, providing passengers with uninterrupted access to live matches.

Raipur. The Chhattisgarh government's Forest and Climate Change Department has made a major administrative reshuffle, altering the responsibilities of Indian Forest Service officers. According to an order issued by the ministry, five senior officers have been assigned new responsibilities to ensure better coordination and effective operation of departmental operations.
Under the order, senior IFS officer Abhishek Kumar Singh has been temporarily given additional administrative charge. He has been assigned the responsibility of Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in-charge as well as Field Director of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Bilaspur. Additionally, he has been assigned the responsibility of Regional General Manager of Chhattisgarh State Forest Development Corporation Limited, Bilaspur. Meanwhile, IFS officer Priyanka Pandey has also been temporarily assigned the responsibility of Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in-charge and Field Director of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Bilaspur. This appointment has been made to ensure smooth functioning and better management of the department.

00 Adequate availability of petroleum, gas and fertilizers – appeal to stay away from rumours
00 Instructions for strict action against those indulging in black marketing of essential commodities

00 A state-level control room has been set up for the convenience of the general public: You can call 1800-233-3663 to get accurate information.

Raipur. In view of the situation arising in West Asia, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai held a high-level review meeting with all the Divisional Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police, Collectors and Superintendents of Police of the state through video conferencing at the Chief Minister's residence office in the capital Raipur today. In the meeting, necessary guidelines were given to the officials after a comprehensive review of the availability and supply system of petroleum products, LPG gas, fertilizers and other essential commodities.

Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that due to the vision and sensitive leadership of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country remained united and successfully faced the challenging situation of COVID. He clarified that the current situation is not COVID-like, but it is necessary to remain vigilant. There is no shortage of petroleum products, gas cylinders, or fertilizers in the state, and therefore, citizens should not pay attention to any rumors.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has held detailed discussions with all states on the West Asia crisis and assured them that the supply of essential commodities is continuing smoothly. A control room has been established at the state level, and a high-level committee is continuously monitoring the situation. He directed that control rooms be established in each district, with the Secretary-in-Charge and Collector conducting regular reviews. To avoid rumors and misleading news, ensure that factual information is disseminated to the public in a timely manner.

Chief Minister Shri Sai issued clear instructions to take strict action against those involved in black marketing and hoarding
of essential commodities. Regular monitoring of the stock and supply of all petrol pumps and gas agencies should be ensured. He directed officials to work in a team spirit and ensure uninterrupted availability of services to the public under all circumstances. During the meeting, officials from HPCL, BPCL, and IOCL informed the Chief Minister that there is no shortage of gas and petroleum products in the state, and supplies are continuing regularly. Online booking of gas cylinders is operating normally. The deadline for Ujjwala gas connections is 45 days and for regular gas connections is 25 days, and bookings are currently being made within that timeframe. There are no disruptions in the transportation of petroleum products, and the situation is normal throughout the state.
Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel stated that a state-level control room has been established to continuously monitor the current situation. Consumers can report problems, complaints, or black marketing related to domestic gas supply on 1800-233-3663. He directed that this number be widely publicized to ensure timely access to accurate information and prompt resolution of complaints. Instructions were given during the meeting to continuously monitor news related to gas, petrol, and diesel supplies. Misleading news can create panic, so such news should be immediately addressed and accurate information should be disseminated to the public. Instructions were also given to monitor social media closely and maintain regular communication with media representatives.
Adequate availability of fertilizers, timely delivery to farmers:
During the video conference, officials stated that there is no shortage of fertilizers in the state. The Chief Minister directed that fertilizer holdings be banned and daily stocks be regularly reviewed. All farmers should be provided with fertilizers equitably, as per their needs. Information on software-based monitoring was also shared to make the fertilizer distribution system more transparent and effective.
Instructions to ensure gas supply to important institutions
Chief Minister Shri Sai directed to maintain uninterrupted gas supply to hospitals, hostels, educational institutions, railways, Government of India institutions, military and paramilitary forces, institutions run by the Social Welfare Department, and airport canteens.
Continuous action across the state—3841 cylinders seized, 97 FIRs registered
It was informed in the meeting that raids were conducted at 335 locations across the state, in which no black marketing was confirmed. However, acting on information about hoarding, 3841 gas cylinders were seized and 97 FIRs were registered. Chief Minister Shri Sai directed to maintain special vigilance at border check posts. Along with monitoring the movement of gas cylinders and petrol-diesel vehicles, instructions were given that petrol-diesel should not be made available to the general public in containers. Only authorized mobile towers and essential establishments operating generators should be provided fuel in containers.
All divisional commissioners, IGs and district collectors also attended the meeting through video conferencing. Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Director General of Police Shri Arun Dev Gautam, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Basavaraju S, Agriculture Production Commissioner Smt. Shehla Nigar, Secretary of Energy Department Dr. Rohit Yadav, Secretary of Food Department Smt. Reena Baba Saheb Kangale, Secretary of Industries Department Shri Rajat Kumar along with officers of Petrol, Diesel and Gas Division of IOCL, BPCL and HPCL were present in the meeting.

00 Players from Arunachal, Andhra Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh in the top three
Raipur. The senior men's 94 kg category witnessed impressive performances in the weightlifting competition held at the Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University sports ground under the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Talented athletes from across the country showcased their strength and technique in this competition held on March 28, 2026. Arunachal Pradesh player Lalu Taku won the first place in the competition by lifting a total of 250 kg. He maintained his dominance in the competition by lifting 110 kg in the snatch and 140 kg in the clean and jerk. P. Mani Shankar of Andhra Pradesh came in second with a total lift of 244 kg. He presented a tough competition by lifting 106 kg in the snatch and 138 kg in the clean and jerk.

Khemraj of Himachal Pradesh finished third with a total lift of 232 kg. His performance included 100 kg in the snatch and 132 kg in the clean and jerk. Samundra Doimari (225 kg) of Assam, Harsh Kumar Hembram (225 kg) of Jharkhand, and Kishan Bhuria (218 kg) of Madhya Pradesh also performed well in the competition, but missed out on medals.
Virav Khusro of Chhattisgarh secured seventh place with 160 kg, while V. Arun of Telangana finished eighth with 113 kg. This competition not only highlighted the talent of athletes from tribal areas but also proved that even remote areas of the country have no shortage of sporting talent. Events like the Khelo India Tribal Games provide these athletes with the opportunity to establish themselves at the national level, laying a strong foundation for Indian sports in the future.

Raipur. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson Devlal Thakur stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai are working tirelessly to eradicate Naxalism in the state. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a deadline of March 31, 2026, with only a few days remaining. He stated that not only Bastar, but almost all districts in Chhattisgarh have become Naxal-free. Bastar has now entered a "no-Naxal zone." He stated that due to the able leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev and the persistent efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Bastar is returning to its historic Bastar. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai for making Bastar Naxal-free.
Thakur stated that after the surrender of the notorious Naxalite Paparao, no Naxalites are currently active. Security forces and police have been conducting numerous operations against Naxalism in Chhattisgarh over the past year, and the results are clearly visible. He said that Naxalites are rejoining the mainstream, relying on the state government's rehabilitation plan. The central government has also encouraged states to develop rehabilitation policies. He added that with tourism being granted industry status, Bastar is rapidly establishing itself on the global map. The Kutumsar Caves, waterfalls, Abujhmad forests, and tribal cultural heritage are becoming global attractions. The home-stay model is rapidly flourishing and strengthening the rural economy.

Rahul Gandhi's 'failure model' has put Himachal Pradesh in financial crisis
Raipur. Bharatiya Janata Party's state spokesperson Amit Chimnani said that Rahul Gandhi's 'failure model' has put Himachal Pradesh in financial crisis. Former Chief Minister of the state Bhupesh Baghel was made the observer for the assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh. The Congress party came to power in Himachal Pradesh by making big announcements but could not fulfill even a single promise. And due to the government's failure, a situation of financial crisis has arisen in Himachal Pradesh. He said that the Congress party considers the country's economy a joke and during the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress made such an announcement whose budget was more than the country's budget for one year. This is the character of Congress to come to power by lying.

Raipur.  Retired Lieutenant Colonel Govindrao Ghatge, a resident of Budhapara, Raipur, passed away at the age of 93. As per his wishes, his body was donated to AIIMS, Raipur. Sincere condolences...