Raipur
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday expressed gratitude on behalf of the 3 crore people of the state to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the completion of 12 years of his tenure.
Speaking to journalists, Chief Minister Sai said that the Prime Minister has established a new record, adding that a prosperous and empowered nation is being built under his leadership with the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’.
The Chief Minister noted that in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) were in power in only 7 states, whereas they now govern 22 states due to public trust. Referring to financial inclusion, he stated that the number of bank accounts has crossed 58 crore, including more than 32 crore accounts held by women.
Highlighting central welfare schemes, CM Sai said that the Union government has been providing free rations to 81 crore people since the Covid-19 pandemic. Over 60 crore health cards have been issued under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and more than 58 crore citizens are benefiting from the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. He added that under the PM Awas Yojana, 10.60 lakh houses were approved for beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister also listed achievements in other sectors, stating that piped water reached 16 crore households under the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 12 crore toilets were constructed, and more than 3 crore women became ‘Lakhpati Didis’. He said that PM-JANMAN and the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan are driving tribal development, and India now has its first tribal woman President Droupadi Murmu.
On infrastructure, he stated that 4 lakh km of roads were built under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, the national highway network expanded by 1.46 lakh km, and the railway budget increased 21-fold. The metro network grew by 1,095 km, and airports increased from 90 to 164, including connectivity to Jagdalpur and Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh. He also noted approval of 23 new AIIMS and medical colleges.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, also present, said the Prime Minister has successfully balanced development and cultural heritage, adding that 32 countries have honoured him with their highest state awards.
He further stated that India’s national budget expanded from ₹16 lakh crore to ₹53 lakh crore, foreign exchange reserves reached $724 billion, FDI rose to $863 billion, and exports reached ₹82 lakh crore, positioning India as the fourth-largest economy globally.
