Chhattisgarh CM readies Centre wishlist

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh will lead a ministerial delegation to the Centre on January 22 to demand a special financial package for the state’s development and for building roads, rail lines and power projects.

Raman Singh is expected to seek sanction for including Chhattisgarh under the PM’s Bharat Jodo Priyojana for four-laning key roads and National Highways. The density of national highways in Chhattisgarh is even less than Kerala, Orissa and Jharkhand. This was the reason for the underdeveloped status of tribal areas like Bastar and Sarguja.

Along with the ministers, Raman will also have a team of senior officials ready with details on pending projects and schemes awaiting release of grants. A day before meeting the ministries, Raman Singh will make his presentation at the BJP CMs’ conference on development priorities and his 100-day agenda. He has convened a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to shortlist issues that would be discussed.