Chhattisgarh is moving towards making youth 'job creators' instead of 'job seekers': CM Shri Vishnudeo Sai
Chhattisgarh presented the roadmap for a youth-centric economy at the World Leaders Forum
AI training for 6 lakh students, target of 5 thousand startups by 2030
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai invited investors to Chhattisgarh on the global stage
More than 8 lakh crore rupees in investment proposals received by the state after the new industrial policy
AI, semiconductors, electronics, data centers, green energy, and pharma will become growth engines of the new economy
New doors of development, tourism, investment, and employment are opening with peace in Bastar
Raipur / Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today presented Chhattisgarh's rapidly changing economic picture, extensive investment opportunities, and future development roadmap to prominent figures of the global economic world at the two-day World Leaders Forum held in New Delhi. The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is now moving beyond its traditional industrial and mineral-based identity towards a new economy based on youth power, innovation, artificial intelligence, startups, green energy, and modern manufacturing.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government's goal is not just to attract large investments, but to link investment with employment, entrepreneurship, better income, and the bright future of youth. The state's policies and plans are being reshaped with the idea that the youth of Chhattisgarh should not just be job seekers, but should create employment opportunities for others through their innovation and entrepreneurship.
The forum was attended by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Shri S. Jaishankar, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and many other prominent figures from India and around the world.
Economy of 6.31 lakh crore, growth rate of 11.57 percent
Chief Minister Shri Sai, while mentioning Chhattisgarh's economic progress, stated that by the year 2025-26, the state's economy has reached approximately 6.31 lakh crore rupees, with an economic growth rate of 11.57 percent. The state's per capita income has also increased to Rs 1,79,244. He said that development and public welfare have been given equal priority to ensure that the benefits of the state's economic development reach every section of society.
He informed that the budget of Rs 1.72 lakh crore for 2026-27 focuses on infrastructure development, capital expenditure, and social welfare. Chhattisgarh is being systematically developed as a major investment destination in the country by strengthening road, rail, energy, digital connectivity, and industrial infrastructure.
More than 8 lakh crore rupees in investment proposals after the new industrial policy
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that creating a conducive and transparent environment for investment in Chhattisgarh is among the government's top priorities. Investment processes have been simplified and time-bound through the New Industrial Development Policy 2024-30, One Click Single Window System 2.0, and Ease of Doing Business reforms.
He said that over 450 processes have been simplified in the last two years. These reforms have yielded positive results, and after the implementation of the new industrial policy, the state has received investment proposals worth more than 8 lakh crore rupees.
The Chief Minister said that in Chhattisgarh, new opportunities for investment have emerged in future sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, artificial intelligence, data centers, pharmaceuticals, textiles, logistics, green energy, and food processing, along with steel, cement, and mineral-based industries.
5 thousand startups by 2030, youth will become job creators
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that youth are at the center of Chhattisgarh's new economy. The government wants the state's youth to become 'job creators' rather than just 'job seekers'. He said that the state has set a target of developing 5,000 startups by the year 2030. Seed fund assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh is being provided to new entrepreneurs to turn their innovative ideas into businesses. Emphasis is being placed on strengthening the startup ecosystem and connecting youth with technology, innovation, skills, and the market.
The Chief Minister said that encouraging young entrepreneurs will not only lead to the establishment of new businesses but also create large-scale employment opportunities at the local level.
AI training for 6 lakh students, more than 50 AI-based services
Chief Minister Shri Sai, describing artificial intelligence as an important medium for Chhattisgarh's future development, said that there is a plan to provide AI training to 6 lakh students and 1.5 lakh government employees in the state. Along with this, more than 50 AI-based government services will be developed to provide better and faster services to citizens.
He said that the purpose of AI is not just technological change. Its real purpose is to improve the quality of education, create future employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, and make government services more effective and citizen-centric.
500 crore AI mission, AI Data Center Park in Naya Raipur
Chief Minister said that work is being done on a state AI mission of Rs 500 crore in Chhattisgarh. Under this, 100 AI Data Labs and 5 Centers of Excellence will be established, and the target is to support more than 300 AI startups.
An AI Data Center Park is being developed in Naya Raipur at a cost of approximately Rs 1,000 crore. This will give Chhattisgarh an important place in the country's emerging digital and AI ecosystem and create new generation employment opportunities for youth.
Bastar will become an important base for Chhattisgarh's new economy
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the changing Bastar is the most important chapter in Chhattisgarh's development journey. After the rapid improvement in the security situation, new opportunities for development, investment, employment, and entrepreneurship are now being created in Bastar.
He said that a livelihood enhancement scheme worth Rs 4,824 crore is being prepared with the objective of increasing the income of about 10 lakh families in the state, including Bastar. 421 closed schools have been reopened in Bastar. Health services have been integrated with technology, and digital health profiles of more than 34 lakh people have been prepared.
The Chief Minister said that the Jagdalpur-RavgGhat rail project worth Rs 3,513 crore will be a milestone in the economic development of Bastar. This will increase the industrial and trade connectivity of Bastar and help in taking local products to larger markets.
Tourism and local products in Bastar will become a major source of employment
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that there are immense possibilities in tourism in Chhattisgarh's natural beauty, tribal culture, and historical heritage. Work is being done to connect Bastar's rich tribal culture with the world-class tourism map, along with major tourist destinations like Chitrakot, Teerathgarh, Kanger Valley, and Sirpur.
Granting industry status to tourism in the state will create new employment opportunities in this sector, including private investment, hotels, hospitality, transportation, local handicrafts, and other services.
The Chief Minister said that the processing and value addition of minor forest produce, medicinal plants, millets, and agricultural products found in the forest areas of the state, including Bastar, are being promoted at the local level. The goal is that Chhattisgarh should not remain just a producer of raw materials, but finished products should be made here, and their maximum economic value should go to the local people.
Chhattisgarh's development will be linked with green energy
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is among the leading states in energy production in the country. Maintaining its strong position in traditional energy, the state is now rapidly moving towards green energy transition.
In the coming years, the state aims to develop an additional solar energy capacity of about 4,000 MW. More than 90,000 homes in the state have already been connected to solar energy. The state's first floating solar plant has also been installed in Bhilai.
He said that the expansion of green energy will not only meet the state's energy needs but also form an important basis for new investments and green jobs.
Focus on value addition beyond raw materials
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Chhattisgarh is rich in natural resources, but the goal of the state's new economic policy is not just to exploit these resources but to maximize their value addition within the state.
In this direction, infrastructure related to electronics manufacturing is being developed in Naya Raipur and Rajnandgaon. The proposed Space Manufacturing Cluster in Rajnandgaon, a 142-acre Pharma Park, and Textile and Readymade Garment Parks will give new momentum to future industrial development. The discovery of lithium in Korba has also opened up new possibilities in battery manufacturing, energy storage, and the new energy sector in the state.
Investment process will be easier with Ease of Doing Business Act
Chief Minister said that the Ease of Doing Business Act-2026 has been implemented to simplify, make transparent, and time-bound the processes for industries. A provision has been made for automatic approval in cases of low-risk industries if a decision is not taken within the stipulated time.
Under this, 43 services from eight departments have been included. This is likely to benefit about 15 lakh MSMEs in the state. The Chief Minister said that the government's effort is that investors do not face unnecessary delays in permissions and processes, and they can focus on industry and job creation.
From Resources to Innovation - Investment Model of New Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister Shri Sai presented Chhattisgarh to global investors as a state where natural resources, sufficient energy, land, skilled and young human resources, improving connectivity, modern infrastructure, and investment-friendly policies are all available.
He said that the next phase of Chhattisgarh's development journey is to move beyond a resource-based economy to building an economy based on knowledge, technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Investment is the medium for this transformation, while its ultimate goal is to bring positive change in the lives of the state's youth by providing them with better employment, entrepreneurship, and income opportunities.
On this occasion, Chief Minister's advisor Shri R. Krishna Das, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretaries to the Chief Minister Shri P. Dayanand and Shri Rahul Bhagat, Special Secretary and Information and Public Relations Commissioner Shri Rajat Bansal, Resident Commissioner Smt. Shruti Singh, and other officials were present.