Another Modi Guarantee Fulfilled in Chhattisgarh

Cash Payment Services and Other Digital Facilities to Begin in 1,460 Gram Panchayats from April 24 – Panchayat Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised the people of Chhattisgarh to introduce cash payment facilities in Gram Panchayats

Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai Addresses MoU Event for Atal Panchayat Digital Seva Kendra
MoU Signed Between Common Service Center Providers and Village Sarpanches

Raipur : On the occasion of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, another guarantee by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to be fulfilled in Chhattisgarh. From April 24, Panchayat Day, cash payment facilities along with various other digital services will be launched in 1,460 Gram Panchayats across the state. In the presence of Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai, an MoU was signed to establish “Atal Panchayat Digital Seva Kendras” in 10 Gram Panchayats from each development block.

These digital service centers will provide villagers with multiple services under one roof. They will be able to withdraw money from their accounts, transfer money to other accounts, pay electricity and water bills, and access benefits related to pensions, insurance, and other government schemes right from their Panchayats.

An MoU was signed today between Common Service Center (CSC) providers and village Sarpanches. The event was held simultaneously across all district headquarters. These centers will eliminate the need for villagers to travel to block or district offices for basic services, providing convenience at the village level.

Addressing the program via video conferencing from his residence office, Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai stated that today marks a historic day for Chhattisgarh. “We are fulfilling another of Modi’s guarantees,” he said. During the Assembly election campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to provide cash payment services in Gram Panchayats, which is now becoming a reality.

The Chief Minister added that within just over a year, most of Modi’s guarantees have been fulfilled—whether it’s the procurement of paddy at ₹3,100 per quintal, payment of pending paddy bonuses for the last two years, the Mahtari Vandan Scheme for women, the Ram Lalla Darshan pilgrimage for the elderly, the reintroduction of the CM Teerth Darshan Yojana, or the promise of providing ₹10,000 annually to over 5.62 lakh agricultural laborers.

He emphasized that these new service centers will enable farmers to receive payments for paddy, benefits from the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, pensions, and other schemes directly in their villages. They will also be able to access services like birth and death certificates locally.

Ensure Every Eligible Beneficiary is Included in the Housing Survey List

Chief Minister Sai reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s vision that every Indian should own a permanent house. He mentioned that 18 lakh beneficiaries were deprived of housing under the previous government. On the second day after assuming office, his cabinet approved all 18 lakh pending houses. So far, the state has received approval for 14 lakh homes from the Centre. Two days ago, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, announced the sanctioning of an additional 3.5 lakh houses for Chhattisgarh. The eligibility criteria in the “Awas Plus Plus” survey have also been expanded to ensure that every deserving individual’s dream of owning a home is realized.

The CM appealed to all elected representatives to ensure that every needy and eligible person is included in the list during the PMAY-Plus Plus survey, which is being conducted from April 15 to 30, so that they may receive the benefits of the scheme.

Appeal for Water Harvesting in Every Village

Expressing concern over the declining groundwater levels in the state, Chief Minister Sai urged the adoption of water harvesting methods to promote water conservation across villages.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma stated that the Atal Panchayat Digital Seva Kendras will be a milestone in expanding financial services in Panchayats. These centers will provide services like railway ticket booking, scholarship and pension withdrawals, and more—right within Gram Panchayats. He emphasized that this will help achieve the goal of making Panchayats self-reliant.

He also voiced concern about the falling groundwater table and informed that a separate SOP is being issued by the department to address this. The government will prepare and implement an action plan to recharge groundwater levels. He urged everyone to commit to working toward raising the groundwater level.

Deputy CM Sharma also announced that Chief Minister Sai will launch the PMAY-Gramin survey campaign on April 15. The launch event will see the participation of MPs, MLAs, district and block Panchayat officials, Sarpanches, and newly elected public representatives across district headquarters.

PMAY-G Ambassadors Honored

Panchayats that already have PMAY-G ambassadors were specially invited and honored at the event. In Panchayats without ambassadors, suitable individuals will be appointed for the role.

Beneficiaries were also informed about the ongoing special PMAY-Gramin survey campaign “Mor Duwar, Sai Sarkar” from April 15 to 30. Information was shared regarding groundwater status in villages, and public representatives took pledges to support water harvesting initiatives.

On this occasion, Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. Basavaraju S., Panchayat and Rural Development Secretary Shri Bheem Singh, Special Secretary Shri Taran Prakash Sinha, MGNREGA Commissioner and PMAY-Gramin Director Shri Rajat Bansal, and Director of Panchayats Smt. Priyanka Mahobia were present.