In-charge Secretary Ankit Anand assesses progress of welfare schemes, directs focus on farmers’ income and doorstep pension delivery; praises community-led homestay initiative in Kere village
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 9,2026: Jashpur district’s development initiatives and emerging rural tourism model came under focus on Monday as In-charge Secretary Shri Ankit Anand conducted a comprehensive review of government schemes and later inspected the rapidly growing homestay project in Kere village.
At a review meeting held in the District Panchayat conference hall, Shri Anand assessed the implementation of key schemes related to health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, housing, drinking water, food security and social welfare. District Collector Shri Rohit Vyas, Senior Superintendent of Police Dr. Lal Umed Singh and other district officials attended the meeting.
Reviewing applications received during the recently concluded Sushasan Tihar (Good Governance Festival), the Secretary directed officials to ensure time-bound and effective disposal of all pending cases. He emphasized the need for online registration and regular updating of records in revenue-related matters.
The progress of housing projects under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural and Urban) was also reviewed, with instructions issued to expedite completion of pending houses. Shri Anand further examined the status of works under the PM-JANMAN scheme and directed officials to ensure effective implementation of both Central and State government welfare programmes.
During the review of the Jal Jeevan Mission, he instructed authorities to complete unfinished projects at the earliest and make alternative as well as long-term arrangements for drinking water supply in villages facing groundwater scarcity.
The Secretary also reviewed progress on major infrastructure and healthcare projects, including the proposed medical college, a 220-bed hospital, a government nursing college, a physiotherapy college and other institutional facilities planned for the district.
Focusing on agricultural development, Shri Anand reviewed crop coverage under Kharif and Rabi seasons and assessed the availability of seeds and fertilizers. He stressed the need to promote pulses, oilseeds, horticulture, fisheries, dairy farming and animal husbandry alongside traditional agriculture to enhance farmers’ income. He directed departments and financial institutions, including Apex Bank, Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank and cooperative agencies, to facilitate credit support for agriculture and allied activities.
The meeting also reviewed ration card renewals, issuance of new cards and foodgrain distribution through fair-price shops. Directions were issued regarding textbook and uniform distribution in schools, implementation of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, Ayushman card issuance and other welfare initiatives.
In a significant directive, Shri Anand instructed the Social Welfare Department to identify elderly, differently-abled and destitute beneficiaries who are unable to visit banks for pension collection. He called for doorstep delivery of pensions through BC Sakhis and prioritised the distribution of assistive devices such as hearing aids, spectacles, crutches and artificial limbs to eligible beneficiaries.
Collector Shri Rohit Vyas informed the meeting that 35 camps were organized across the district under Sushasan Tihar, resulting in the receipt of 15,846 applications, of which 11,205 have already been resolved. He added that work is progressing on several major projects announced by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, including a medical college, nursing college, naturopathy centre, physiotherapy college and critical care facility.
Officials also reported that out of 1,12,618 houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 93,506 have been completed. Several water conservation projects are also underway, including livelihood ponds, recharge structures, renovation of traditional water sources and construction of soak pits.
Later in the day, Shri Anand visited Kere village in Jashpur block, where he inspected homestay facilities being developed as part of a community-based rural tourism initiative. He reviewed tourist amenities, traditional hospitality arrangements and local tourism activities.
Commending the efforts of villagers, the Secretary said rural tourism not only helps preserve local culture and traditions but also creates sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthens economic self-reliance among rural communities.
Kere village is being developed as a model rural tourism destination through the efforts of the district administration. Five homestays are currently operational, with local residents receiving training in hospitality management, tourism services and homestay operations.
The initiative has received encouraging feedback from visitors, particularly those who recently stayed at the Mahua Homestay. Tourists appreciated the village’s cleanliness, tranquil environment, traditional welcome and locally prepared cuisine, highlighting the authentic cultural experience offered by the community.
Praising the quality of facilities and the warmth of local hospitality, Shri Anand said such initiatives can provide a new identity to rural tourism in Chhattisgarh while generating employment and preserving cultural heritage.
Officials said the Kere model is emerging as a successful example of community-driven tourism, combining natural beauty, traditional culture and public participation to create sustainable development opportunities for rural residents.
Collector Shri Rohit Vyas, District Panchayat CEO Shri Abhishek Kumar, Jashpur SDM Shri Vishwas Rao Maske, Janpad Panchayat CEO Shri Lokhit Bhagat and other officials accompanied the Secretary during the visit.
