CM Vishnu Deo Sai Felicitates Top Performing Aspirational Districts and Blocks Under Sampoornata Abhiyan

“Remote Areas and PVTGs Need Development the Most” – CM

Bastar & Kondagaon Among Districts Awarded Gold for Full Saturation on All Six Key Indicators

Raipur : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today felicitated aspirational districts and development blocks that excelled in achieving the defined goals of the Sampoornata Abhiyan. The awards were presented at a function held in the New Circuit House premises in Raipur for districts and blocks that achieved saturation in the selected indicators during the three-month-long campaign conducted across Chhattisgarh’s aspirational districts and blocks from July to September 2024.

During the event, the Chief Minister honoured officials and staff from various departments who contributed significantly to this achievement. Bastar and Kondagaon districts, along with aspirational development blocks Shankargarh, Mainpur, Makri, Koylibeda, Orchha and Pratappur, were awarded gold medals for achieving full saturation across all six identified indicators under the campaign. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Arun Sao and Shri Vijay Sharma, Member of Parliament Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, and MLAs Shri Sunil Soni, Shri Motilal Sahu, and Guru Khushwant Saheb.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) embodies inclusive growth for every section of society. He emphasised that the people living in remote areas and members of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) need development the most. Referring to the Pradhan Mantri Janman Yojana, he noted that the Central Government, understanding the gravity of the situation, has launched this initiative to bring essential services like housing, drinking water, electricity, roads, and other basic infrastructure to remote tribal areas.

He also highlighted that programmes like the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which includes 6,661 villages of Chhattisgarh, are lighting up the path of progress in far-flung villages, in line with Prime Minister Modi’s far-sighted vision. The Chief Minister said that villages falling under the ambit of aspirational districts and blocks are now advancing at a rapid pace in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, while addressing the programme, said that work on aspirational districts began in 2018 with a mission to bring backward districts and blocks to the forefront of development. He informed that various sectors are being addressed in these areas to improve human development indicators and bring them up to the saturation level. Expressing hope, he said that the journey towards a developed Chhattisgarh and a developed India will be achieved through the development and welfare of every individual.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Sharma remarked that the work being done in aspirational districts and blocks is focused not just on physical progress, but also on enhancing human development indicators. He stated that efforts are underway to identify key indicators and work towards their saturation, especially those which generally receive less attention. Extending his best wishes, he expressed hope that the districts and blocks under the programme continue to perform even better.

Chief Secretary Shri Amitabh Jain and Secretary of Planning, Economics, and Statistics Department Shri Ankit Anand provided a detailed overview of the work done and achievements recorded during the Sampoornata Abhiyan. Member Secretary of NITI Aayog Shri Ashish Bhatt, Member Shri K. Subramaniam, and Director of Planning, Economics, and Statistics Department Smt. Roktima Yadav were also present during the event.

Under the campaign, six indicators were selected out of the 49 indicators for aspirational districts and 40 for aspirational blocks. These included ANC registration, number of pregnant women receiving supplementary nutrition, issuance of soil health cards, number of fully immunized children, electrification of schools, distribution of textbooks within one month of the start of the academic session, diabetes screening, hypertension screening, and number of self-help groups that received revolving funds.

Aspirational districts and blocks that achieved full saturation on all six indicators were awarded gold medals. Those that achieved full saturation in five indicators were given silver medals, those with four indicators received bronze medals, and those with three indicators were awarded copper medals.

Among the aspirational districts, Bastar and Kondagaon achieved full saturation in all six indicators and were awarded gold medals. Among aspirational blocks, Shankargarh, Mainpur, Makri, Koylibeda, Orchha, and Pratappur also secured gold medals.

Dantewada, Korba, Kanker, and Narayanpur districts, along with aspirational blocks Lakhnapur, Baikunthpur, Durgkondul, Gaurela-2, Korba, and Pithora, were awarded silver medals. Aspirational district Bijapur and aspirational blocks Gariaband, Usoor, Podi Uproda, Bodla, Tokapal, and Kuaankonda received bronze medals. Copper medals were awarded to aspirational districts Manpur–Mohla–Ambagarh Chowki, Mahasamund, and Sukma, and to aspirational block Ambagarh Chowki.

The awards were received by the current and former collectors of the respective districts.