Major Focus on Tribal Upliftment: Development to Accelerate in Naxal-Free Areas, ‘Niyad Nella Nar 2.0’ Soon
Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council Meeting Held Under Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur, April 29, 2026/
A meeting of the Chhattisgarh Tribal Advisory Council was held at Mahanadi Bhawan under the chairmanship of Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on April 29. The meeting discussed the all-round development of tribal communities and approved several important decisions aimed at faster progress in remote regions.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Bastar, a region geographically larger than Kerala, remained deprived of development for decades. He stated that government schemes are now expanding rapidly in the area, and a new phase of growth has begun.
Giving top priority to protecting tribal culture and traditions, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure the safety of Devgudi and Sarna religious sites. He also stressed the need for strict action against illegal encroachment. He informed that education and healthcare facilities are being strengthened in 6,600 villages under the “Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana”, while 32,000 houses have already been sanctioned under the PM JANMAN Yojana.
Reviewing the success of the “Niyad Nella Nar Yojana”, Chief Minister Shri Sai announced that its next phase, “Niyad Nella Nar 2.0”, will be launched soon. He said the upgraded initiative will further expand basic facilities such as electricity, drinking water, roads and ration services in remote tribal areas. He also stated that health screening of 36 lakh people is progressing continuously under the “Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Yojana”.
The Chief Minister directed an inquiry into cases involving long-term lease exploitation of tribal land. He also instructed officials to quickly send a proposal to the Central Government for the inclusion of the Korwa and Sansari Oraon communities in the Scheduled Tribe list.
To strengthen education and infrastructure, Chief Minister Shri Sai emphasised increasing hostel capacity, improving maintenance, and ensuring adequate teacher availability. He instructed the officials to develop a fast-track learning environment for children in Naxal-free areas and that open-air classes should not be conducted.
Expressing displeasure over the slow pace of construction on the Ambikapur National Highway, the Chief Minister directed officials to complete works within timelines and maintain quality standards. He also stressed the need to focus on roads that get cut off during the monsoon season.
Shri Ramvichar Netam, Minister for Tribal Development and Vice-Chairman of the Council, stated that for many years, Naxalism remained the biggest hurdle to development in remote tribal regions, including Bastar and Surguja. He said that after relief from this four-decade challenge, welfare schemes can now be implemented effectively and rapidly, directly benefiting local people.
He added that the tribal community is now joining the mainstream of development more quickly and receiving new opportunities for progress. He said better ground-level implementation of schemes has become possible after the decline of Naxalism, and all departments have been directed to complete approved works in a time-bound manner through coordination.
Shri Netam also stated that electricity, water and road connectivity are now reaching settlements of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, while new hostels are creating better opportunities for talented youth from remote areas.
