Biggest Obstacle to State’s Development—Naxalism—Removed by Double-Engine Government: CM Sai

• Trainee military and civil officers from the National Defence College met the Chief Minister
• Foreign delegates describe Chhattisgarh as “amazing,” call their visit memorable
• State’s geographical, cultural, and administrative strengths appreciated
• 15-member NDC study team on a five-day visit to Chhattisgarh

Raipur, March 2026: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the biggest obstacle to Chhattisgarh’s development—Naxalism—has been effectively addressed by the “double-engine government.” He made these remarks while interacting with a visiting study delegation of military and civil service officers from the National Defence College at his official residence.

Welcoming the delegation, the Chief Minister honored the officers from India and abroad with traditional shawls and mementos. The delegation, led by Air Commodore Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, shared their experiences of their visit and praised the state’s geographical diversity, rich culture, and administrative progress. The delegation also presented a military memento to the Chief Minister.

In his address, CM Sai highlighted that Chhattisgarh is a unique blend of dense forests, abundant mineral resources, vibrant folk culture, and natural beauty. He noted that nearly 46 percent of the state’s land area is covered by forests, supported by initiatives like the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and CAMPA scheme. He added that the state is rich in minerals ranging from coal to diamonds.

The Chief Minister further emphasized that Chhattisgarh has emerged as a power-surplus state, currently producing around 30,000 megawatts of electricity. He revealed that in the past two years alone, the state has received investment proposals worth over ₹3 lakh crore in the energy sector, which will significantly enhance its production capacity in the future.

Referring to national leadership, he said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state have brought the Naxal problem close to resolution. This, he said, will accelerate peace and development in the region.

Highlighting the agricultural strength of the state, CM Sai said Chhattisgarh is known as the “Rice Bowl of India.” He pointed out that the government is procuring paddy at 21 quintals per acre at ₹3,100 per quintal, significantly improving farmers’ economic conditions. On women’s empowerment, he mentioned the ‘Mahtari Vandan Yojana,’ under which more than ₹15,000 crore has already been disbursed to women beneficiaries. Additionally, over 5.3 lakh landless agricultural labourers are receiving annual financial assistance of ₹10,000.

The Chief Minister also engaged in discussions on the state’s culture, cuisine, traditions, and shared his political and social experiences with the visiting officers.

Foreign Delegates Praise Chhattisgarh
Foreign members of the delegation described their visit as “remarkable and unforgettable,” noting the state’s geographical diversity and fertile land. They particularly appreciated the tribal culture and natural beauty of the Bastar region.

Air Commodore Ajay Kumar Chaudhary observed that strong leadership and effective policies have brought visible positive changes in the state. He added that the morale of security forces has improved, enabling effective action against Naxalism. He also noted the positive ground-level impact of government schemes related to women’s empowerment and housing.

The delegation includes officers from several countries, including Myanmar, Japan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Greece, along with senior Indian officials.

It is noteworthy that the National Defence College conducts a one-year training programme annually. This year marks its 66th course, with 120 military and civil officers undergoing training. As part of this programme, a 15-member team, including five foreign officers, is visiting Chhattisgarh to study economic security and strategy.

During their visit, the officers explored New Raipur’s urban planning, interacted with agriculture and forest department officials, visited the Jungle Warfare College in Kanker, and toured Bastar to study security operations, tribal culture, and tourist sites such as the Chitrakote Waterfall. They also visited Kondagaon’s craft village and later toured the Bhilai Steel Plant and a police station in Bhilai to understand industrial operations and law enforcement systems.