Sakti/Raipur/Bhopal/New Delhi, September 11, 2026: A historic confluence of poor welfare, women’s empowerment and rural development was witnessed at the state-level programme held at Jetha in Sakti district of Chhattisgarh. Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai jointly facilitated the Griha Pravesh of poor families into 2 lakh newly constructed houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) and symbolically handed over keys to the beneficiaries.

On the occasion, Union Minister Shri Chouhan announced 3.65 lakh additional houses for Chhattisgarh. He also announced the establishment of a new Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) in Sakti and extended the deadline for the housing survey of eligible beneficiaries who were left out in the Bastar division to October 31, 2026. He said, “If Vishnu Deo (the Chief Minister) asks, Shiv (the Union Minister) cannot say no.”

Sakti Gets Krishi Vigyan Kendra; Survey Deadline Extended in Bastar

Addressing the large gathering, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said Sakti is a sacred land of faith, culture, nature and public energy. Responding to the demand raised by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and local Member of Parliament Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, he announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Sakti. The KVK will provide farmers in the region with direct access to advanced agricultural technologies, crop diversification and scientific advisory services.

Emphasising the need to accelerate development in Naxal-affected areas, Shri Chouhan said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, security forces have nearly eliminated Naxalism. Development is now flowing in these areas in place of landmines and violence.

Responding to the Chief Minister’s request for additional time to conduct a housing survey of poor families left out in the Bastar division, the Union Minister extended the deadline to October 31, providing an additional one-and-a-half months. He said the Central Government is committed to serving the poor and no eligible poor family would be deprived of a pucca house.*

More Than 1,600 Houses Being Completed Every Day; Chouhan Praises Sai Government

Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan praised the implementation of schemes in Chhattisgarh and said that more than 1,600 PMAY houses are being completed every day in the state, which is an unprecedented pace.

He said the BJP fulfils the promises it makes with complete commitment. During the previous government, construction of houses for the poor had been stalled, and despite approval from the Centre, the state failed to provide the required matching grant, depriving poor families of their homes. He noted that even the then Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo had resigned expressing his anguish over the situation.

However, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, immediately after taking oath, approved 18 lakh houses in the very first Cabinet meeting, thereby restoring the rights of poor families. Through joint efforts of the Central and State Governments, more than 11.50 lakh houses have been completed during the past two-and-a-half years.

Chhattisgarh Is Becoming a Bowl of Fruits and Vegetables, Not Just Rice

Shri Chouhan said that while travelling by helicopter from Raipur to Sakti, he was delighted to see the lush green crops spread across the landscape. He said Chhattisgarh is no longer merely the “Rice Bowl”, but is now also becoming a bowl of vegetables, fruits and flowers.

He praised the skills of women from Self-Help Groups after seeing an exhibition featuring jackets made from flax stalks, along with Kosa and mulberry products. He said the talent and enterprise of rural women deserve admiration.

He added that given the pace of development in Chhattisgarh, the state would soon emerge as the number one state in the country.

Light Lamps at 7 PM on September 17 and Bless PM Modi

Referring to the welfare-oriented vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Union Minister Shri Chouhan said that Prime Minister Modi has undertaken major initiatives including providing free food grains to 80 crore people, more than 4 crore pucca houses, toilets for every household, tap water connections and the mission to create 3 crore Lakhpati Didis.

Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a blessing for India, he appealed to citizens and beneficiaries to light lamps at their homes at 7 PM on September 17, on the Prime Minister’s birthday, and pray for his healthy and long life as well as the continued progress of the country.

Attack on “Anti-National” and Negative Politics

During his address, Shri Chouhan strongly criticised what he described as negative politics by the Congress. He said that while Prime Minister Modi is enhancing India’s prestige on global platforms such as BRICS, Congress leaders are allegedly engaged in opposing the country while sitting abroad.

Referring to Vande Mataram, he said it was deeply unfortunate to oppose a song while freedom fighters had gone to the gallows singing it. He added that no political party can place itself above laws passed by Parliament and respect for democracy.

Pucca Houses for the Poor Are the Government’s Top Priority: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai thanked Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on behalf of the three crore people of Chhattisgarh, saying that every visit by the Union Minister brings major development initiatives and benefits to the state.

He said that approving 18 lakh houses in the very first Cabinet meeting was a testimony to the government’s commitment.

The Chief Minister informed that through the National Rural Livelihood Mission and “Bihan”, as many as 13.85 lakh women in the state have so far become Lakhpati Didis. He also said that under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, more than ₹20,000 crore has been transferred into the accounts of around 70 lakh women.

Several Rural Innovation Initiatives Launched

During the programme, AI-based geo-tag verification for houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin and the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana was launched.

Other initiatives launched included the “Dhar Apaar” and “Sugghar Bari” campaigns under Viksit Bharat–G RAM G, the release of 270 new Integrated Farming Clusters, and the launch of the incubation programme “Ath Udyamita Ki Or”.

Lakhpati Didis who had demonstrated outstanding performance and high-performing Gram Panchayats were also felicitated.

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma, Guardian Minister Shri Guru Khushwant Saheb, Member of Parliament Smt. Kamlesh Jangde, Zila Panchayat President Smt. Draupadi Kirtan Chandra, along with a large number of public representatives, Panchayat officials and rural residents, were present at the programme.

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