21 Assistant Directors Appointed Together in Town and Country Planning Department for the First Time Since State Formation
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Hands Over Appointment Letters to 21 Newly Selected Assistant Directors
Discharge Responsibilities with Honesty, Integrity and Sensitivity, Give Highest Priority to Public Interest: CM Sai
Planned Urbanisation Will Strengthen the Foundation of Developed Chhattisgarh: CM
Raipur, September 2026: The development of cities should not be planned merely according to present requirements but should also take into account the needs of future generations, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Wednesday.
Addressing a programme organised at Mahanadi Bhawan, Mantralaya, after handing over appointment letters to 21 newly selected Assistant Directors (Planning) of the Town and Country Planning Department, the Chief Minister said the young officers would play an important role in giving planned direction to the state’s rapidly expanding urbanisation.
Congratulating the newly appointed officers on their bright future, CM Sai said this was the first time since the formation of Chhattisgarh that 21 Assistant Directors had been appointed simultaneously in the Town and Country Planning Department. The appointments would enhance the department’s efficiency and contribute significantly to ensuring planned urban development across the state.
The Chief Minister also congratulated the parents and family members of the newly appointed officers. He said providing children with quality education, enabling them to become capable and then seeing them serve the state and people in responsible positions is a matter of pride and happiness for every parent.
He said a new phase of responsibility had begun in the lives of these young officers, bringing with it the expectations of their families as well as the aspirations of the state.
21 Young Officers Appointed Together After 25 Years
CM Sai noted that Chhattisgarh has completed 25 years since its formation. During this period, only 17 Assistant Directors had been appointed in the Town and Country Planning Department, whereas 21 young officers were being appointed together this time.
He said this demonstrated the state government’s commitment to strengthening departments with adequate human resources and professional capabilities in view of future requirements.
Urbanisation is increasing rapidly in Chhattisgarh, he said. As the population expands from villages towards cities, urban boundaries are growing and new settlements are emerging along major roads and around cities. This pace is expected to accelerate further in the coming years.
Therefore, long-term and scientific planning is essential for residential areas, commercial activities, roads, public spaces, transportation, drainage and other civic amenities, the Chief Minister said.
He told the newly appointed officers that town planning was not merely about preparing maps or determining land use. It has a direct bearing on the quality of life of citizens and the future of cities.
A good plan helps organise a city, makes civic amenities accessible and prevents problems arising from unplanned expansion in the future. The young officers appointed today, therefore, have the important responsibility of shaping the cities and towns of future Chhattisgarh, he said.
Give Highest Priority to Public Interest and Transparency
CM Sai urged the newly appointed officers to recognise the importance of their responsibilities, saying government service is an important means of serving the people.
Every decision taken by a government officer affects the lives of ordinary citizens in some way. Therefore, officers must discharge their duties with complete honesty, integrity, sensitivity and transparency, he said.
The governance system should ensure that ordinary citizens do not face unnecessary difficulties even for small tasks, the Chief Minister said. While ensuring compliance with rules and procedures, officers must give the highest priority to public convenience and public interest.
He also urged the young officers to use their technical education, modern knowledge and innovative thinking for better planning and development of the state.
Chhattisgarh to Play Important Role in Developed India Mission
CM Sai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047. The country is moving rapidly towards this objective with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.
Chhattisgarh, too, has an important role to play in building a developed India, he said.
The state government has prepared ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Ru Vision 2047’, setting out a clear direction for development in the coming years. The objective is to create a Chhattisgarh with modern infrastructure, better civic amenities, adequate opportunities for youth and development benefits reaching every section of society.
The goal of a developed Chhattisgarh cannot be achieved through government efforts alone. Active participation from the administration, youth and every citizen of the state is essential, he added.
More Than 15,000 Youth Given Government Jobs in Two-and-a-Half Years
The Chief Minister said the state government has been continuously working to provide more employment and growth opportunities to young people.
Over the past two-and-a-half years, more than 15,000 youth have been provided government jobs in various departments. Recruitment has been advanced for more than 7,000 posts in the Police Department and over 3,000 posts in the Education Department. More than 1,200 appointments have also been made in the Power Department.
The recruitment process for vacant posts in various departments is continuing, he said.
CM Sai added that opportunities for youth are not limited to government employment. The state’s new Industrial Development Policy gives special priority to employment generation and provides incentives for industries that create large-scale employment for local youth.
New employment opportunities are also being created through job fairs, the private sector, self-employment and entrepreneurship. The government’s objective is to ensure that every young person in the state gets an opportunity to progress according to their qualifications and interests.
Transparent Recruitment Must Translate into Transparent Public Service: OP Choudhary
Finance and Housing & Environment Minister OP Choudhary congratulated the newly appointed officers and said planned urbanisation would play a crucial role in building a developed Chhattisgarh.
With economic growth, the expansion of urban populations and cities is natural. Therefore, assessing future requirements in advance and undertaking modern and scientific town planning is the need of the hour, he said.
Choudhary noted that earlier, the Town and Country Planning Department generally appointed three or four Assistant Directors at a time, whereas 21 officers have been appointed together this year. This will significantly enhance the department’s professional capacity and give fresh momentum to planned urban development.
He said the recruitment of the new officers had been conducted with complete transparency and fairness. It was now their moral responsibility to make the same transparency and honesty the foundation of their working style.
When a citizen visits a department office for map approval or any other work, he or she should experience simplicity, sensitivity and transparency in the system, Choudhary said.
Energy of New Generation Officers Will Accelerate Development: Kedar Kashyap
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap congratulated the newly appointed officers and their families, saying Chhattisgarh is continuously progressing on the path of development under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
He said the appointment of such a large number of officers simultaneously in the Town and Country Planning Department was an important initiative towards planned development of the state.
The knowledge, energy and modern outlook of the new generation of officers will enhance the department’s efficiency, he said, expressing confidence that all the newly appointed officers would discharge their responsibilities with full commitment and contribute to building a developed Chhattisgarh.
Department Secretary Ankit Anand, Commissioner Avnish Sharan, senior departmental officials, newly appointed Assistant Directors and their family members were present at the programme.
