Study Tour of Panchayat Representatives to Give New Direction to Rural Development: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Raipur, January 2025: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today flagged off a group of elected representatives of District Panchayats from the Bastar division for a training-cum-study tour to Maharashtra under the National Gram Swaraj Abhiyan. The group was flagged off from the Chief Minister’s residence, where he extended his best wishes to all the Panchayat representatives for a safe and successful journey and ceremonially flagged off two buses.

On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that through this study tour, Panchayat representatives would gain insights into best practices followed in other states, which would directly benefit rural development in Chhattisgarh. He stated that the visit is multi-purpose in nature and would include cultural exchange, dialogue, discussions, and the sharing of important information related to the responsibilities of Panchayat representatives, innovations, and rural development initiatives.

The Chief Minister also urged the representatives to share information about Chhattisgarh, especially Bastar, highlighting the state’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, people-centric and development-oriented schemes, good governance practices, and transparent administrative systems with representatives from other states. He said that such exchanges help build mutual understanding and contribute to overall development.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma also extended his best wishes to the Panchayat representatives for the exposure visit. He said that such study tours play an important role in strengthening the Panchayati Raj system of the state, making it more progressive, empowered, and development-oriented.

It is noteworthy that under the National Gram Swaraj Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, elected representatives of District Panchayats from the Bastar division are being sent to Mumbai from January 18 to January 23, 2025, to study the Panchayati Raj system of Maharashtra. In the first phase, a total of 60 Panchayat representatives and nodal officers are participating in this training-cum-study tour. Along with training sessions, visits to some of Maharashtra’s best-performing Panchayats have also been scheduled.

In the coming phases, District Panchayat representatives from all divisions of the state will be sent on similar study tours in a phased manner.

On this occasion, MLA Lata Usendi, MLA Motilal Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Shri Neelu Sharma, Director of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Ms Priyanka Mahobia, along with senior departmental officers, were present.

Team Maverick.