Page 3 - Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh farmers surpass sowing target hoping high paddy price

Though the state has surpassed the paddy sowing target, it is yet to achieve the overall kharif crop sowing target for the season even as the sowing has come to a halt

7 killed, 3 injured in lightning strike in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar

Seven men were killed and three injured after they were struck by lightning in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on Sunday, officials said. The incident took place this evening in Mohtara village when the victims were working in a field, a district administration official said. "As per preliminary information, these persons gathered at the edge of a pond near their field amid heavy rainfall when lightning struck. The deceased were identified as Mukesh (20), Tankar Sahu (30), Santosh Sahu (40), Thaneshwar Sahu (18), Pokhraj Vishwakarma (38), Dev Das (22) and Vijay Sahu (23)," he said. The three injured persons have been hospitalised, the official added.

Raipur BJP MP seeks govt intervention for rollback of hike in cement prices

Raipur BJP MP Brijmohan Agrawal has raised objection over the "steep" hike in cement prices by its manufacturers and demanded intervention of the Chhattisgarh government and the Centre for a rollback of the increased cost. Agrawal said the sudden increase in the cement prices by Rs 50 per sack would affect infrastructure projects, including roads, buildings, bridges, schools, colleges and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. In separate letters to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Competition Commission of India on September 6, Agrawal said despite Chhattisgarh being a state rich in minerals, iron, coal and energy resources, the cement manufacturers, by forming a cartel, tremendously increased the prices from September 3. The attitude of cement companies has become that of "looting" the innocent people of Chhattisgarh, he said, adding the government needs to take strict action against cement manufacturers. Mines, coal, energy, cheap ...

Chhattisgarh scientists launch India's first Covid severity biomarker kit

The new biomarkers, created by the MRU team, are designed to identify patients at risk of severe Covid-19 in the early stages of infection

Centre approves 800,000 PMAY houses in rural areas of Chhatisgarh

The Centre has sanctioned construction of more than 8 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY) in rural areas of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Wednesday. The CM also informed that his government, which assumed office nine months ago, has requested the Centre to approve houses under PMAY separately for surrendered Naxalites and people affected by Maoist violence in the state. Slamming the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh (2018-23), he alleged it failed to implement the scheme in the state, as a result 18 lakh families were deprived of pucca (concrete) houses. "The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress dispensation had been inactive in implementing the housing scheme and therefore 18 lakh families could not get homes under it. The Baghel government did not disburse the state's share of 40 per cent for the scheme as the 'PM' word was linked to it and they were scared the credit will go to the BJP government (at the Centre) and Prime Minister Narend

Nine Naxalites killed in encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh

Nine Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, a senior police official said. The gunfight broke out around 10.30 am in the forest along the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation, Inspector General of Police, Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI. Personnel belonging to the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation, which was launched based on inputs about the presence of Naxalites belonging to its west Bastar division unit, he said. The intermittent exchange of fire lasted for a long duration, following which the bodies of nine Naxalites clad in 'uniform' were recovered from the spot, he said. Besides, a huge cache of weapons was also seized from the encounter site, he said. Security personnel were reported to be safe and the search operation was still underway in the area, he added.

Dantewada administration imposes Rs 1,620.5 cr fine on NMDC for violations

The administration in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district has imposed a penalty of Rs 1,620.5 crore on the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), a central PSU, for alleged violation of mining laws, officials said on Saturday. The NMDC has termed the move "completely inappropriate" and claimed the penalty was imposed "solely and blindly without considering the facts and circumstances in the case". The NMDC has mining operations in Bailadila hills in Kirandul and the Bacheli area of Dantewada in the Bastar region. In a letter dated August 29, Dantewada collector Mayank Chaturvedi directed the NMDC to deposit the penalty amount within 15 days. The letter stated that iron ore mining leases have been approved for Deposit No. 14 ML in an area of 322.368 hectares, Deposit No. 14 NMZ in 506.742 hectares, and Deposit No. 11 in 874.924 hectares in Kirandul village under Bacheli tehsil of Dantewada to the NMDC. The collector wrote that the NMDC's clarifications to the show cause not

Chhattisgarh CM announces aid of Rs 15 crore each to Kerala, Tripura

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced an assistance of Rs 15 crore each to Kerala and Tripura, where heavy rains and landslides have wreaked havoc, a government official here said on Friday. In a post on X, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated that the chief minister has decided to provide Rs 15 crore assistance each from the Disaster Relief Fund to Tripura and Kerala. "In the last few days, we have received sad news about the loss of lives and property on a large scale due to natural calamities in Tripura and Kerala. My sympathies are with the disaster-affected people. The Chhattisgarh government is ready to help both states in this adverse situation," Sai said in the post.

Chhattisgarh-based SECL speeds up process for employment to landowners

In 2022-23, the company provided employment to 704 landowners, while in the previous financial year, 707 landowners were provided jobs, which is the highest figure in the last 10 years

Chhattigarsh gets Rs 30 cr firepower to combat left-wing extremism

The Chhattisgarh government will receive Rs 30 crore to modernise the police forces combating rebels in the southern regions of the state

Illicit drug trade not only domestic but a global challenge: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said the illegal narcotics trade is not only a challenge for India but also a global issue, stressing that the country can fight the menace if it pursues with determination and strategy. Addressing a meeting at a hotel in Nava Raipur on the scenario of narcotics substances in Chhattisgarh, Shah emphasised the need to adopt four formulas of drug detection, network destruction, culprit detention and addict rehabilitation in achieving success. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to make the country drug-free in 2047 when the 100th year of the country's independence will be celebrated and gradually the resolution has become the resolution of the 130 crore population. I believe that the resolution of a drug-free India is very important in making a prosperous, safe and glorious India, Shah said. The illicit drug trade is not only a challenge for India but also a global issue, he said, pitching for the need to raise awareness of this menace. If

HM Shah to chair anti-Naxal review meeting today in Chhattisgarh's Raipur

As per official sources, during the meeting, the Union Home Minister will assess both the measures taken against Naxal insurgency and the advancement of infrastructure projects

Chhattisgarh govt to use AI for improving school education, programmes

The department has set up Vidya Samiksha Kendra in the state capital Raipur to implement the AI system. Another major initiative is monitoring the performance of school students, the official said

NMDC Steel's hot rolled coil production hits 1 MT-mark within a year

State-owned NMDC Steel Limited (NSL) on Wednesday announced producing 1 million tonnes of hot rolled coil (HRC) at its plant in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh in a year's time. NMDC Steel Ltd, an entity demerged and formed from mining firm NMDC, owns and operates the 3 million-tonne Nagar Steel Plant -- referred as India's youngest steel unit -- and has been set up with an investment of around Rs 23,000 crore. "NSL announces a landmark achievement of its production capabilities. Today, this ultra-modern plant has successfully produced 1 MT HRC four days ahead of the first anniversary of commencement of HR coil production," the company said in a statement. On July 21, 2024, the company had achieved the production of 1.5 MT of hot metal from its blast furnace and produced 1 MT of liquid steel from the steel making shop (SMS) on August 11. Both milestones were reached in less than a year from the commencement of production, the company said. The company's CMD Amitava Mukherjee said, "Achievi

New rail lines to put mineral transportation from C'garh on fast track

The Korba-Ambikapur rail line will connect two major cities known for having rich coal reserves

Chhattisgarh govt setting up police camps in Naxal-hit region: CM Sai

The Chhattisgarh government was working on a war footing to set up new security camps in the Naxalite-hit areas of the state with an aim to end the menace and ensure basic facilities to people living there, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday. In the last eight months of the BJP government in the state, 146 Naxalites were gunned down by brave security personnel in the state as a result of which people of the region have been feeling safe after several years, he said. In his Independence Day address to the state at the Police Parade grounds in state capital Raipur, Sai also said his government was preparing a new industrial policy for the state to accelerate growth by providing employment to the youth on a large scale. He said Chhattisgarh has been delivering a key role in fulfilling the resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India developed by 2047. "On this day, we express our gratitude to our soldiers who are fighting the anti-democratic Naxalite terror in the ...

In a 1st, Tricolour to be hoisted in 13 villages of Naxal-hit Bastar dist

Thirteen remote villages located in the Naxalite-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh will witness hoisting of the national flag for the first time on the Independence Day on Thursday, police said. Setting up new camps of security forces in these villages in the last seven months has been paving the way for development of the respective areas, they said. Tricolour will be hoisted in Nerlighat (Dantewada district), Panidobir (Kanker), Gundam, Putkel and Chhutvahi (Bijapur), Kasturmeta, Maspur, Irakbhatti and Mohndi (Narayanpur), Tekalgudem, Puvarti, Lakhapal and Pulanpad (Sukma) villages on Thursday where such event was not held ever in the past, Inspector General of Police of Bastar Range Sundarraj P told PTI. Security camps at these places were established after the Republic Day last year. All these newly-established camps have provided a new and vibrant identity to the region and its native population. The camps would act as a ray of hope for the young and old in building a peaceful

India to open its 1st lithium mines in Chhattisgarh after GSI confirmation

Lithium, one of the 23 proposed exploration projects, is considered crucial for producing lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, which are in increasing demand

1,037 police medals for central and state forces announced on I-Day eve

The government on Wednesday announced service medals for 1,037 police personnel of various central and state forces on the eve of Independence Day. According to a Union Home Ministry statement, 214 personnel will be decorated with bravery medals, including a President's Medal for Gallantry (PMG) and 231 Medal for Gallantry (GM). The GM includes four decorations for fire fighters and one for a civil defence personnel. A maximum of 52 bravery medals has been given to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 31 to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, 17 police personnel each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, 15 from Chhattisgarh and a dozen from Madhya Pradesh. The lone PMG medal, the highest police decoration for bravery, has been announced for Telangana Police Head Constable Chaduvu Yadaiah for showing "rare gallantry" in apprehending two notorious chain snatchers and arms traffickers on July 25, 2022. The two criminals had "viciously" attacked the cop and repeatedly stabbed him all over

If we save elephants, forests will prosper: Union Minister Bhupender Yadav

Union minister Bhupender Yadav has said if elephants are saved, the forests will prosper as the tuskers serve to protect them and called for steps to reduce human-elephant conflicts in the country. Elephants have been an integral part of religious and cultural traditions in India, Yadav said on Monday. Addressing an event organised in Raipur on the occasion of World Elephant Day, the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change highlighted the efforts being made by the government for pachyderm conservation through a range of participatory efforts. "In India, elephants have been a part of religious and cultural traditions. If we save elephants, the forests will prosper as elephants are actual rangers of forests and serve to protect them," he stated. Yadav stressed on the need to reduce human-elephant conflicts, a problem also prevalent in parts of Chhattisgarh, in the country. There are 33 elephant reserves and 150 corridors for the pachyderms in the country, he said. The .