Raipur  On the occasion of the national launch of the Vikasit Bharat Ji-Ram-Ji (VB-GRAM-G) scheme, a district-level public conference and launch programme was organised in Gram Panchayat Sonaidih under Bamhnidih development block of Janjgir-Champa district. During this, the live telecast of the national launch and address given by Union Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan from Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh was seen and heard through virtual medium. Public representatives, officials, villagers and a large number of workers participated in the programme.

Addressing the program, District Panchayat President Engineer Satyalata Anand Miri said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, effective work is being done towards the overall development of villages and ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach the last person. She said that the pledge of a developed India will only be realized through public participation, and every citizen has an important role in this.

He said that through the Vikasit Bharat Ji-Ram Ji Yojana, rural workers will now have access to 125 days of employment and a daily wage of ₹300. This will increase the income of rural families, strengthen the village economy, and give new impetus to the creation of a self-reliant rural India.

The District Panchayat President stated that the implementation of the scheme will be carried out with complete transparency. Priority will be given to water conservation, water enrichment, and the creation of sustainable assets, which will ensure the protection of natural resources and sustainable development in rural areas.

District Panchayat member Mrs. Mohan Kumari Sahu said that the scheme will provide villagers with more employment opportunities at the local level, which will reduce migration and give a new direction to village development. District Panchayat President Mrs. Manisha Chauhan said that through the scheme, every village will be connected to the mainstream of development and basic facilities will be expanded.

Mr. K.K. Chandra, Mrs. Rupa Singh Dev, Mrs. Uttara Sidar, Mrs. Amita Lahare, Mr. Suresh Sahu, and Mr. Gokul Jaiswal also expressed their views at the program. At the end of the program, all those present resolved to realize the vision of a developed India and to play an active role in the overall development of villages.

On this occasion, Chief Executive Officer of District Panchayat, Shri Gokul Raote, Chief Executive Officer of Janpad Panchayat, public representatives, officers, rural citizens, members of women self-help groups and a large number of workers were present.

Raipur ). The Chief Minister's Helpline 1076, operated under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, is emerging as a reliable medium for quick, sensitive, and effective resolution of common citizens' problems. The timely resolution of the problem of student Aradhana Singh, a resident of village Kariya in Surguja district, is an inspiring example. An error in the date of birth on her Aadhaar card was affecting her higher education and future prospects. However, after registering a complaint on the Chief Minister's Helpline, the problem was quickly resolved through the administration's proactive initiative.

Aradhana Singh was preparing for college admission after completing her 12th grade. During document verification, she discovered that her date of birth on her Aadhaar card was incorrect by approximately three years, hindering her further educational process, including college admission. She attempted corrections at various levels, including the Aadhaar Service Center and the post office, but due to a lack of proper guidance and knowledge of the required procedures, the problem remained unresolved.

Meanwhile, her family filed a complaint with the Chief Minister's Helpline 1076. Upon receiving the complaint, the concerned officials contacted the student, gathered complete information, and explained the prescribed procedure for correcting her date of birth. They provided guidance through the entire application process, including the necessary documents, affidavit, and birth certificate.

Following the administration's guidance, Aradhana Singh prepared the necessary documents and resubmitted her application to the Aadhaar Service Center. Prompt action was taken on the application and within about a week, her revised Aadhaar card was issued, completely correcting the date of birth error.

Expressing her happiness at the resolution of her problem, Aradhana Singh said that she will now be able to continue her higher education without any obstacles and confidently appear for competitive examinations. She added that without the support of the Chief Minister's Helpline, her problem would not have been resolved so quickly.

Expressing gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the district administration, and the concerned officials, Aradhana Singh said that the Chief Minister's Helpline 1076 is a very useful and reliable system for ordinary citizens. She appealed to the public to use the Chief Minister's Helpline for any government-related issues, where complaints are being resolved with sensitivity and timeliness.

Jammu: The holy Shri Amarnath Yatra 2026 formally commenced on Thursday. The first batch of pilgrims left for the darshan of Baba Barfani from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu at around 4 am.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the pilgrimage for the pilgrims. Chants of "Bam Bam Bhole" and "Har Har Mahadev" filled the entire complex with a devotional atmosphere.

This year's 57-day Amarnath Yatra will run from July 3 to August 28 (Raksha Bandhan). Pilgrims will reach the holy cave via both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes. The first batch included only those pilgrims who had pre-registered online, obtained RFID cards, and completed the e-KYC process.

According to the administration, nearly four lakh pilgrims have already registered for the pilgrimage this year. All necessary arrangements, including security, health, transportation, accommodation, drinking water, and help desks, have been made to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

Additional security forces have been deployed on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and the entire Yatra route is being monitored from the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).

Meanwhile, the enthusiasm of devotees for the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is steadily increasing. As of July 1st, more than 1.45 million pilgrims have visited Badrinath and more than 1.375 million have visited Kedarnath.

The number of devotees visiting Badrinath has increased rapidly since the third week of June and has now surpassed Kedarnath.

The administration has appealed to the devotees to follow all weather and safety related guidelines and to travel as per the prescribed rules.

Raipur. Former state president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), Ravi Bhagat, has resigned from the primary membership of the BJP. His resignation went viral on social media on Wednesday, sparking a flurry of discussions in Chhattisgarh's political circles. However, he cited only personal reasons in his resignation and did not mention any other controversy.

Ravi Bhagat, from the Lalunga area of ​​Raigarh district, wrote in a brief letter addressed to BJP Mandal President Ramesh Hota that despite being a worker from a small village, the party gave him recognition and respect, for which he is grateful. He stated that he was resigning from the party's primary membership due to personal reasons. A copy of his resignation has also been sent to the BJP's national president, state president, and district president.

Attempts were made to contact Ravi Bhagat, but he remained unanswered. This three-line resignation letter, which has gone viral on social media, has sparked various political speculations.

In fact, this isn't the first time Ravi Bhagat has been in the news for differences with the organization. In July 2025, the BJP state office issued him a show-cause notice. The allegation was that he had made comments on social media that were contrary to party policies and organizational discipline. The party demanded an explanation within three days and warned of action if an unsatisfactory response was received.

Ravi Bhagat has been raising questions about the use of District Mineral Trust (DMF) funds for some time. He has repeatedly expressed his displeasure on social media and public platforms regarding alleged irregularities in the use of the funds. His resignation has once again sparked political debate about these issues and ongoing activities within the party.

Raipur. After 21 years of closure due to Maoist violence, schools in the Pidia area of ​​Bijapur district are now bustling with children. Under the ongoing development and good governance campaign led by Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, 11 closed schools in the Pidia area have reopened. This will provide 539 children from 11 villages with the opportunity to receive education in their own villages.

At the Praveshotsav program held at Pidia, District Panchayat President Janaki Korsa began the program by worshipping Goddess Saraswati. Children were welcomed with tilak (a sacred thread) and were distributed school bags, notebooks, pens, slates, and other educational materials. Education ambassadors were also provided with necessary registers and educational materials. A large number of villagers, parents, and public representatives attended the program.

Schools in the villages of Pedia, Pedapal, Chhotegotodi, Kuem, Madpal, Undri, Idenar, Donditumnar, Mirganghotool, Gampur, and Tamodi were closed years ago due to Maoist violence. Now, with these schools reopening, children will no longer have to travel to remote areas for education.

District Education Officer Rajesh Pandey said that under the special campaign, a total of 37 closed schools, including 20 primary and 17 upper primary schools, have been reopened in the district so far this year. Buildings, drinking water, electricity, and other basic facilities are also being developed in these schools.

Collector Vishwadeep stated that providing education to every child in the district is the administration's top priority. Closed schools are being reopened in a phased manner in areas where peace has now settled. The reopening of schools in Pidia after 21 years is not only a return to education, but also a symbol of development, trust, and a strong beginning for a new future in a changing Bastar.

Raipur. The SIT's investigation into the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram Temple is yielding new revelations every day. Now, a box labeled "Ramrajya Kosh" has been recovered from the yoga center of accused Avinash Shukla in Kaushalpuri, giving the investigation a new twist.

The box also contained a picture of Lord Ram, a website, and a Paytm QR code. However, it remains unclear what the box was used for and where the money deposited in it was going.

During the investigation, ₹20.39 lakh in cash and 1,121 US dollars were recovered from Avinash. Meanwhile, Bhaskar Singh of Varanasi claims that he owns the Ramrajya Kosh organization and that he placed the box there. He says that the bank account linked to it is still active, but the QR code is old and inactive.

Given the seriousness of the case, the SIT's mandate has been extended until July 15. Eight accused have been arrested so far, and approximately ₹8 million in cash, gold, silver, and investment-related documents have been recovered.

Meanwhile, Jyotirmath's Shankaracharya, Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati, has called the entire incident a conspiracy and accused the trust's treasurer of being protected. All eyes are now on the SIT's next action and new revelations.

Raipur. The wait for thousands of candidates in Chhattisgarh is finally coming to an end. A major decision was taken at the Higher Education Department's review meeting in Nava Raipur, which approved the direct recruitment process for 700 vacant assistant professor positions.

Higher Education Minister Tankaram Verma has instructed officials to ensure the recruitment process is not delayed and to begin action immediately. This is no less than great news for the youth who have been waiting for recruitment for a long tim

It was also decided at the meeting that the appointment of regular principals in all government graduate colleges would be completed by July 31. Assistant professors appointed before 2019 will receive promotion benefits under the old rules, and a list of senior and advanced pay scales will also be released soon.

There are also indications of improvements in the service conditions of guest professors. Furthermore, a decision has been made to recruit Assistant Grade-3 and Class-IV employees through the State Staff Selection Commission

A "90-hour, 90-day" English communication program will be launched for students in rural and tribal areas, while the National Education Policy will now be implemented in postgraduate courses. The department has also placed special emphasis on financial discipline, transparency, and administrative reforms.

Raipur. The wait for devotees of Baba Barfani is over. The first batch has departed for the Amarnath Yatra, which begins on July 3. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the pilgrimage.

The atmosphere at the Baltal and Pahalgam base camps was filled with devotion, with chants of "Bam Bam Bhole." This year, the pilgrimage will last 57 days and conclude on Raksha Bandhan, August 28th.

Pilgrims will travel the traditional 48-kilometer Pahalgam route and the challenging 14-kilometer Baltal route to visit Baba Barfani. The administration has made special arrangements for security and amenities this time.

The most significant change concerns the introduction of RFID cards. Each registered passenger will be issued this card, allowing the administration to continuously monitor their location throughout their journey. This is intended to strengthen security and ensure immediate assistance in case of an emergency.

The administration claims that this time preparations have been completed at every level to make the journey safer, more organised and convenient than before.

Raipur. Amid the annual queues for fertilizer, allegations of black marketing, and farmers' problems, the government has taken a major step. Now, the entire fertilizer sales process at private fertilizer shops in Chhattisgarh will be captured on camera.

The Directorate of Agriculture has issued an order to launch a "Fertilizer Sales Vigilance Campaign" across the state from July 1 to August 30. This means that officials will now be present in person at the stores and will record daily video recordings of everything from stock to sales.

Shops that have previously received complaints of black marketing or irregularities will be videotaped, not just for 2-3 minutes, but the entire day's sales process. The video will also require recording the date, time, and name of the shop so that it can be used as evidence if needed.

This government decision has also raised a significant question: if the system was completely transparent, why were cameras needed? In fact, complaints of urea and DAP shortages, overpricing, and forced sales of other products have consistently surfaced every Kharif season.

Now, every shop will be required to display stock and MRP boards. Farmers will only receive fertilizers through Aadhaar-based PoS machines, and providing bills will be mandatory. The forced tagging of zinc or other products with urea has also been banned.

The government has also deployed flying squad teams. Surprise inspections will be conducted daily, and if any official or vendor is found complicit, an FIR will be filed and licenses may even be revoked.

Raipur. The bulldozer action taken for the MLA colony in Nakati village, Raipur, has now taken a legal turn. Following the disturbance during the encroachment removal, police have filed a case against unidentified villagers under several sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), including rioting.

The administration alleges that during the operation, some people obstructed government employees' work and manhandled them. Based on this complaint, the Mana police station has registered an FIR and begun an investigation

The police are now working to identify the accused based on video footage, photographs, and eyewitness accounts. Those responsible for the disturbance will be identified and further action will be taken.

It is noteworthy that approximately 80 houses were demolished in Nakati village to make way for the proposed MLA colony. These included 32 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Indira Awas Yojana. The villagers were deeply upset by the action, and tensions arCt the scene.

To control the situation, the administration had already made elaborate security arrangements. More than 1,000 police personnel were deployed in the area to deal with any untoward incident.

Now the matter is not limited to just removing encroachment, but is becoming a big issue of legal and poliChhattisgar.

Raipur. A major administrative change has been made in the Chhattisgarh Postal Circle. Following an order from the Chief Postmaster General's office, one officer has been transferred, while another has been granted a one-year extension. This decision has sparked heated discussions within departmental circles.

According to the order, H.R. Sahu, who served as Assistant Postmaster in Ambikapur, has now been assigned to the postal superintendent position in Kanker. His transfer is effective immediately.

Meanwhile, Sarjit Sarkar, serving as Superintendent of the Railway Postal Service in Raipur, has been granted a one-year extension. Significantly, he has served in this position for the past four years, while central departments typically adopt a transfer process after three years.

This is why this decision has sparked renewed debate within the department. Officials and employees at various levels are exploring the implications of this decision. However, the department has not publicly disclosed any specific reason for the extension.

At present, it is being described as a part of the regular administrative process, but questions and discussions are continuing regarding the changing working style and decision making process of the Postal Cvide.

Khairagarh. CG NEWS: As part of a campaign to curb counterfeit fertilizer, illegal storage, and black marketing in the 2026 Kharif season, the Agriculture Department seized 202 bags of suspected DAP fertilizer in the village of Panduka. Due to the failure to produce the required documents, the entire stock was seized and the case was presented to the court. 

Under the direction of Collector Indrajit Singh Chandrawal and the guidance of Deputy Director of Agriculture Rajkumar Solanki, the department received information that Maharashtra-made DAP fertilizer was being sold to farmers at the rate of Rs 1,900 per bag from the warehouse of Rajesh Verma, a resident of village Panduka. During the investigation, 202 bags of fertilizer were recovered from the warehouse. During questioning, Rajesh Verma claimed the fertilizer belonged to Manoj Verma, but could not produce any valid documents related to its purchase and storage. Following this, the department confiscated the entire stock.

Experts deliberate on scientific waste management, public participation and circular economy

Over 250 participants participated, emphasizing accountability of bulk waste generators and the goal of a zero-waste state.

Raipur, Chhattisgarh: The Regional Office of the Environment Protection Board, Raipur, organized a one-day state-level workshop at the New Circuit House, Civil Lines, Raipur, to effectively implement the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026. The workshop discussed in detail the various provisions of the rules, including scientific management of solid waste, source segregation, collection, processing, and environmentally friendly disposal.

Municipal Commissioner Mr. Sambit Mishra, the chief guest of the program, said that scientific management of solid waste is essential for building clean and healthy cities. He emphasized the active participation of citizens, local bodies, and institutions in waste segregation, recycling, and scientific management, calling for this to become a mass movement.

Regional Officer Mr. P.K. Rabde provided detailed information on the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026, the responsibilities of various departments, and their effective implementation. He stated that the rules notified by the Government of India are not merely legal provisions, but important steps towards a circular economy, aimed at promoting environmental protection by using waste as a resource. He explained that under the new rules, bulk waste generators will be responsible for the scientific management of their generated waste. He noted that Chhattisgarh has developed a successful model of door-to-door waste collection through Swachhata Didi (cleanliness sisters). Furthermore, cement plants in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district are setting a successful example of scientific waste disposal and the use of alternative energy by using Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) produced from municipal solid waste as fuel.

He said that Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board is committed to providing technical guidance to all stakeholders for the effective implementation of Rules-2026 and through collective efforts, work is being done towards making entire Chhattisgarh including Raipur a zero waste state.

In the workshop, State Advisor Mrs. Monica Singh and Mr. Purushottam Panda (Swachh Bharat Mission), Executive Engineer Mr. Yogesh Kumar Kadu, Chief Chemist Mrs. Neelima Sonkar and Assistant Engineer Mr. Praveen Kumar Nag gave detailed information about Solid Waste Management Rules-2026, scientific waste management, source level segregation, processing and practical implementation through PowerPoint presentation.

About 250 participants including representatives of urban and rural bodies, industry representatives, bulk waste generators, eco club coordinators, Swachh Bharat Mission officials and officers and employees of Chhattisgarh Environment Protection Board participated in the program.

The objective of the workshop was to create widespread awareness about the Solid Waste Management Rules-2026, establish coordination between various departments and institutions and promote scientific and effective waste management for environmental protection.

Jashpurnagar . Important decisions were taken regarding road safety and protection of public properties in the meeting of District Road Safety Committee held today in the Collectorate meeting room under the chairmanship of Collector Rohit Vyas. 

In the meeting, the Collector directed the officials to immediately stop the operation of tractors fitted with double iron cage wheels, which are used in the fields, on normal roads, cement roads and national highways. The Collector said that iron cage wheels are made only for agricultural purposes. Their use on public roads is against the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Running such tractors on the road increases the risk of accidents and also causes serious damage to the roads. This also poses a risk of accidents.

Officials informed the meeting that in some areas of the district, tractors fitted with double iron cages instead of rubber tires are being used on roads. This is rapidly damaging the road surface. Furthermore, the affidavit submitted to the Honorable High Court in this regard is also being violated. The Collector clarified that iron cage wheels fitted for farm use must be removed and replaced with rubber tires before being used on public roads. The operation of such tractors without rubber tires on any public road is strictly prohibited.

The Collector directed the concerned departments to launch a massive public awareness campaign among farmers and tractor operators, so that they can be informed about the Motor Vehicles Act and road safety rules. He also said that along with challan action under the Motor Vehicles Act, other legal action will also be taken against tractor operators who violate the instructions. The Collector has directed the district administration and the concerned departments to launch a joint campaign to ensure an effective ban on the operation of tractors with double iron cage wheels (iron cage wheels) without rubber tyres on public roads.

Raipur Desk. There's significant relief for those struggling with inflation. Petrol prices in India have become cheaper by ₹5 and diesel by ₹3 per liter. However, this reduction has been made by the private company Nayara Energy, not the government, and the new prices are effective from July 1, 2026.

Most notably, for the first time in more than two years, a fuel company has reduced the retail price of petrol and diesel. The reasons behind this are believed to be the easing of tensions in the Middle East and the decline in international crude oil prices.

Nayara Energy has over 7,000 petrol pumps across the country, where consumers will directly benefit from this reduction. However, final prices may vary depending on the state due to VAT and local taxes.

Interestingly, in March, the same company had increased the price of petrol by ₹5 and diesel by ₹3, but now it has provided relief to customers by making the same reduction. On the other hand, state-owned oil companies like Indian Oil, BPCL, and HPCL have not yet made any changes to their prices.

Experts believe that if crude oil remains cheap in the international market, then government companies can also provide relief in prices in the coming days.

Bilaspur. The Bilaspur High Court is set to undergo a major change starting July 3rd. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha has released a new roster, which will see several important cases heard by new benches. The division of cases, from public interest litigation (PILs) to criminal appeals and FIR quashing cases, has changed.

According to the new roster, the division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal will now hear major cases like PIL, writ appeal, habeas corpus, criminal appeal, criminal contempt and quashing of FIR.

The bench comprising Justice Sanjay K. Agarwal and Justice Sanjay Kumar Jaiswal has been assigned all criminal cases which do not fall within the jurisdiction of any other division bench.

The bench of Justices Sanjay Agarwal and Narendra Kumar Vyas will now hear acquittal appeals pending since 2016. On the other hand, the bench of Justices Parth Pratim Sahu and Sachin Singh Rajput has been assigned the responsibility of civil, company, matrimonial, tax, and commercial appeals.

The High Court administration says the new roster is intended to make judicial work more systematic and faster. This arrangement will remain in effect until further orders.