In a high-level meeting held on September 13, Chhattisgarh’s chief minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai issued a clear directive to the state's top bureaucrats and police officers.

The meeting, attended by district Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SPs), focused on the state’s pressing issues, including law and order, district-level governance, and the ongoing battle against Maoist insurgency.

The CM left no room for ambiguity: district-level problems should be solved within the district itself, and regular Jandarshan—public hearings—must be held to address citizens' grievances.

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Collectors were told to organise these hearings weekly, ensuring that local issues don’t escalate to the chief minister’s monthly Jandarshan in Raipur. “It will be considered an administrative failure if district-level matters land in the state-level hearings,” the CM stated.

CM Sai, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of good governance, emphasised the need for administrative transparency and efficiency. “Our government stands by Modi ji's promise and is committed to ensuring good governance,” he declared.

Calling the district and police administrations the 'eyes and ears' of the government, Sai emphasised the vital role they play in shaping the public’s perception. “The image of the government is created by the work of the district administration,” he said, adding that officers must view themselves as public servants and discharge their duties with full dedication, hard work and honesty.

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Addressing the law enforcement challenges, the CM stressed a delicate balance: police must be firm with criminals and anti-social elements, while ensuring that the weaker sections of society—women, children, and the elderly—feel secure.

A strong message was sent to the SPs, with Sai instructing them to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crimes related to women, illegal liquor, gambling, and drugs. He also mandated swift arrests and timely trials for serious offences, aiming for the resolution of cases within three months.

Strict action must be taken against any police personnel involved in criminal activities, Sai said, reinforcing that discipline is the backbone of the police force.

With cyber crime on the rise, the chief minister underlined the importance of both public awareness and police preparedness. He assured that the state would provide resources and training to help tackle this growing threat.

On the subject of road safety, the CM called for the identification of accident-prone areas and stressed the need for educating the public about traffic rules. District-level authorities were asked to implement preventive measures swiftly, ensuring that orders related to district banishment and vehicle confiscations do not remain merely on paper.

The CM said, “Today the government has completed its nine months. It was a wonderful experience to discuss with all of you on this special occasion.”

Chhattisgarh’s ongoing struggle against Maoist insurgency was a key focus of the meeting. While praising the coordination between state forces and paramilitary units, CM Sai presented the government’s achievements on this front: over the last nine months, 159 Maoists have been killed, 34 security camps have been established, and roads and bridges have been built in remote areas.

“Due to bravery, skill, and coordination, the Naxalites are being uprooted from the state,” Sai said. He emphasized that development is key to consolidating gains in the fight against Maoists. The CM highlighted the success of the Niyad Nellnar Yojana, a government initiative aimed at bringing development to Naxal-affected areas.

Looking ahead, Sai announced plans to introduce a comprehensive policy for the rehabilitation of surrendered Maoists and the victims of the insurgency. “Our strategy of aggressive action will continue, alongside efforts to earn the trust of the common people,” he stated, reaffirming the government's commitment to eradicating Maoism from the state.

As the meeting concluded, Sai reminded the gathered officials of the government's nine-month tenure, highlighting its successes and the challenges ahead. The presence of key figures such as Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua, Director General of Police Ashok Juneja, and other senior officials underscored the importance of the directives issued.