Raipur, 17 April 2025
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today attended the ceremony of taking over charge of the newly appointed Chairman of the Iron Craftsman Development Board at Shaheed Memorial Bhavan in the capital. He congratulated and wished the newly appointed Chairman of the Iron Craftsman Development Board, Shri Praful Vishwakarma, for the new responsibility.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is a rich state full of natural resources like minerals and forests. Iron ore, coal, tin, bauxite, limestone and other important minerals including lithium are present here in sufficient quantities. Similarly, Chhattisgarh is also a leading state in the matter of forest resources. By making better use of the existing resources in the state, as per Modi’s guarantee, Chhattisgarh along with the country has to be made a developed state by 2047. Under this, emphasis is being laid on the development of all societies and classes in the state.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the economy of Chhattisgarh state is based on agriculture. Iron craftsmen have played an important role since ancient times in the manufacture of various crafts including the manufacture of agricultural tools. Craftsmen associated with iron crafts reside in every region and village of our state and they are playing an important role not only for their livelihood but also in the field of construction through their traditional business. Under the leadership of the newly appointed Chairman Shri Vishwakarma, the board will provide new heights to the upliftment of craftsmen and craftsmanship.
The Chief Minister said that today is an important day. Today we inaugurated 20 fire fighting vehicles for the state. The incidence of fire is more during summer. Fire fighting vehicles will prove useful to protect against them. Taking a major decision in the interest of the small traders of the state in today’s cabinet meeting, the amendment contained in the draft of Chhattisgarh Outstanding Tax, Interest and Penalty Settlement (Amendment) Ordinance-2025 has been approved. According to which the state government will encourage small traders and waive VAT liabilities up to Rs 25 thousand in pending cases older than 10 years. This will benefit more than 40 thousand traders and reduce more than 62 thousand litigation cases. Along with this, approval was given to establish the campus of National Institute of Fashion Technology in Chhattisgarh. This campus will be established in Nava Raipur. The establishment of this institute will provide new opportunities to the youth of the state in the field of fashion education and technically trained human resources will also be available to the fashion industry. It is a leading institute of fashion education in India.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam also addressed the gathering and said that Vishwakarma community has a significant contribution in nation building. It is said that Lord Shri Vishwakarma created this beautiful world. Earlier, no work in the village could be completed without the people of Vishwakarma community, whether it is agriculture or marriage. Iron tools were used in all. Today, there is a need to identify such talented craftsmen and enhance their talent through the Iron Craftsman Development Board. He congratulated and wished the new Chairman of the Iron Craftsman Development Board, Shri Praful Vishwakarma. During this, Jagdalpur MLA Shri Kiran Dev Singh said that Shri Praful Vishwakarma is very simple and experienced. He is among the people who take everyone along. Certainly, under his leadership, craftsmanship will get a new level from Bastar to Surguja.
On this occasion, Mahasamund MP Smt. Roopkumari Chaudhary, MLAs Shri Sunil Soni, Purandar Mishra, Motilal Sahu, Anuj Sharma, Mayor of Raipur Smt. Meenal Choubey, Chairman Shri Suryakant Rathore, Chairman of Civil Supplies Corporation Shri Sanjay Shrivastava, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Milk Federation Shri Kedarnath Gupta, Chairman of Building and Other Construction Workers Board Shri Rampratap Singh, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Free People Finance and Development Corporation Shri Lokesh Kawadiya, Chairperson of State Hair Stylist Welfare Board Ms. Mona Sen, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Leather Craftsmen Board Shri Dhruv Kumar Mirgha, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Minority Commission Shri Amarjeet Singh Chhabra, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Food Commission Shri Sandeep Sharma, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Workers Development Board Shri Prahlad Rajak, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Backward Classes Welfare Commission Dr. R.S. Vishwakarta, Chairman of Chhattisgarh State Food Commission Mr. Sandeep Sharma, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Culture Council Shashank Sharma, Chairman of Raipur Development Authority Mr. Nande Sahu, Mr. Kishore Mahanand and a large number of dignitaries were present.
