*Tribal Pride Day Special Article*

*All-round development of tribal areas is the foundation stone of developed Chhattisgarh*

*Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, respect, participation and development of tribal society are getting priority*

*Remote areas are being empowered with budget, housing, easy registration, simple tax system and banking facilities*

* *Shri Sunil Tripathi, Assistant Director Public Relations*

Raipur,/ Tribal Pride Day is an occasion to remember the struggle, courage, and self-respect of great leaders, including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, who dedicated their lives to protecting the nation's independence, culture, and nature. Their lives inspire us to stand up against injustice, take pride in our traditions, and work tirelessly for the welfare of society. This day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions of tribal communities and to reaffirm our commitment to their dignity, rights, and development.

Chhattisgarh is characterized by its rich tribal culture, traditions, and deep connection with nature. The tribal regions stretching from Bastar to Surguja are the soul of the state. Development in these areas is not limited to providing amenities. Development plans should be tailored to local needs, ensure tribal community participation, and provide opportunities for every family to thrive while preserving their culture and identity. This is the direction of a developed Chhattisgarh.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the state government is prioritizing the respect, welfare, and empowerment of tribal communities. Special attention is being paid to expanding the reach of government schemes and infrastructure to remote areas, connecting villages to the mainstream of development, and creating opportunities for youth. Under the Chief Minister's leadership, the needs and aspirations of tribal communities are being considered in the formulation and implementation of schemes.

*Budget accelerates development*

In the 2026-27 budget, 34 percent of the funds have been allocated for the development of Scheduled Tribes under the Tribal Sub-Plan. This is an important step towards accelerating schemes related to education, health, drinking water, roads, electricity, irrigation, livelihoods, and employment in tribal areas.

Under the leadership of Finance Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary, emphasis is being placed on aligning budget resources with development priorities and ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach villages and families. Expanding road and communication facilities in remote areas connects villages to markets, education, and health services. Irrigation and drinking water make life easier, while opportunities related to skill development, agriculture, forest produce, and local enterprises can increase family incomes. Selecting schemes based on the actual needs of the region and ensuring their benefits reach the last person in a transparent manner is the government's priority.

*A safe and dignified life through housing*

Every family's safe and secure home is the foundation of a dignified life. The Chhattisgarh Housing Board plays a vital role in providing affordable housing and advancing housing projects in tribal areas. Under the leadership of Housing and Environment Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary, the department is focusing on the development of roads, electricity, water, and other essential amenities, along with housing.

The geographical conditions and local needs of tribal areas are diverse. Therefore, it is essential to develop housing schemes tailored to the local conditions. A permanent home provides a better environment for children to study, provides security to women and the elderly, and assures stability to families. Providing housing and basic amenities to remote areas is an important part of Chhattisgarh's commitment to a developed state.

*Simple registration facilitates citizens and entrepreneurs*

Transparency, simplicity, and the use of technology in the registration system save time and resources for ordinary citizens. Under the leadership of Registration Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary, reforms are underway to streamline land and property transactions, streamline procedures, and provide better services to citizens. Decisions such as reducing registration fees for women buyers have made property purchases more affordable. It is essential that registration services are readily available to citizens in tribal areas.

Local enterprises, women's groups, and small businesses are empowered by the ease with which they navigate property and business processes. Simple and reliable systems enhance public trust in governance and facilitate access to development opportunities.

*GST and local economic activities*

The GST system is a means to make the tax system more transparent and integrated. Small traders, artisans, small enterprises, and forest produce traders in tribal areas should be supported in understanding the rules and procedures. Under the leadership of Finance Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary, there is a strong focus on making tax administration more simple, transparent, and technology-based. With guidance and technical assistance, small businesses can integrate into the formal economy and expand their businesses.

Value addition to local products, handicrafts, agricultural produce, and forest produce, and improved access to markets can increase the income of tribal families. Making tax procedures easier for small businesses to understand and providing them with support systems are crucial in this direction.

Identifying needs through planning and data

The Department of Planning, Economics and Statistics plays a vital role in understanding development needs and guiding planning efforts. Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary's departmental responsibilities include identifying villages with the greatest need for roads, healthcare, education, drinking water, banking, or employment opportunities, based on reliable data and regional information. Planning based on accurate information ensures effective resource utilization and ensures the benefits of development reach the areas most needed.

When planning for the development of tribal areas, it is important to consider the experiences and priorities of local communities. Data provides direction, while local participation ensures that solutions respond to the real needs of the people.

*Banking facilities near villages*

Development is incomplete without economic inclusion. Every citizen needs easy access to a bank account, savings, loans, insurance, pensions, and government assistance. Expanding bank branches, along with banking correspondents, bank associates, and digital services in remote areas, helps bring banking closer to the village. This reduces the need to travel long distances for small and large needs, and ensures that scheme funds are directly credited to accounts.

Bank Sakhis not only provide financial services at the local level but also create employment and self-reliance opportunities for women. The government is continuously striving to ensure that technology and banking services are simple, accessible, and reliable for tribal communities.

*Environmental protection and tribal life*

Forests, water resources, and biodiversity are deeply intertwined with the life, livelihood, and culture of tribal communities. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize environmental protection, water conservation, and the judicious use of local resources in development plans. Maintaining environmental balance alongside development is also a key aspect of Housing and Environment Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary's departmental responsibilities.

The tribal communities' knowledge of coexistence with nature is valuable to the entire region. By combining this traditional knowledge with modern planning, development can be made sustainable.

*Developed Chhattisgarh with developed India*

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the country is moving forward with the resolve of a "developed India." Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is committed to making every region and every community in the state a part of this development journey. Special provisions in the budget, housing, easy registration, simplified tax system, better planning, banking facilities, environmental protection, and local employment opportunities—all these are interconnected efforts to empower tribal areas.

Through the departments of Finance, Housing and Environment, Registration and Planning, and Economics and Statistics, Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary's contributions have included providing resources, facilities, and improved administrative processes for development in tribal areas. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, the government's overarching goal is to expand opportunities for education, health, skills, livelihoods, and modern amenities, while respecting the tribal community's language, culture, traditions, and knowledge of nature.

Heartiest greetings to all the brothers and sisters of the tribal community of the state on Tribal Pride Day. Salute to those great leaders, including Bhagwan Birsa Munda, whose sacrifice and struggle still inspire us. Come, let us all together create a Chhattisgarh where the benefits of development reach every village and every family, tribal society progresses with its proud identity, and the resolve of a 'developed Chhattisgarh', along with a 'developed India', is realized.