Restoring trust in the State, the Chhattisgarh experience

Chhattisgarh’s creation 25 years ago rested on a simple premise: A smaller state would listen better, govern closer to the ground, and respond faster to its people.

- Vishnu Deo Sai

As my government completes two years in office, coinciding with the state’s silver jubilee, the real question is not how much has been announced, but how much confidence has been rebuilt. Guided by the Prime Minister’s emphasis on transparent and accountable governance, these two years have focused on steady correction — not disruption for its own sake, but repair.

That effort necessarily began with governance itself, Chhattisgarh did not lack policies. What it needed was clarity in process and discipline in delivery. Over the past two years, more than 400 administrative reforms have been undertaken across departments, simplifying procedures, fixing timelines, and reducing discretionary touchpoints. The e-Office system was adopted to accelerate decision-making, streamline institutional processes, and strengthen public confidence in administration.

Integrity, too, was central to this effort. Action against wrongdoing, recovery of public funds, and cooperation with investigative agencies were pursued without regard to position or affiliation. Governance acquires moral authority only when accountability is visible and consistent.

Social policy was shaped around four groups that define Chhattisgarh’s present and future — the poor, farmers, youth, and women. On the very next day after the formation of the government, approval was granted for the construction of more than 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, reflecting the priority accorded to shelter and security for economically weaker families. Acceleration of housing construction, particularly for the lower income groups and those affected by LWE conflict, has been paired with stronger delivery of ration supplies and welfare benefits.