Strictly Stop Haphazard Construction, Illegal Plotting, and Encroachment in Cities, Deputy Chief Minister Gives Instructions to All CMOs
Asked to work for the welfare of cities and citizens with new thinking and new work methodology
Shri Sao instructed to streamline the works and systems of Nagar Panchayats, said negligence and laxity in work will not be tolerated, strict action will be taken after fixing accountability
Instructed to make cities clean and beautiful and develop adequate public facilities for citizens
Asked to complete the taxation work on new properties by May 31
Raipur. April 21, 2026. The review of urban bodies across the state continued for the second day today. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Administration and Development, Shri Arun Sao, reviewed the works of all Nagar Panchayats in a day-long meeting held today at the Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur. In the meeting, he instructed the Chief Municipal Officers of Nagar Panchayats to strictly stop haphazard construction, illegal plotting, and encroachment. He asked to streamline the works and systems of Nagar Panchayats. Shri Sao said that negligence and laxity in work will not be tolerated. Strict action will be taken against the concerned after fixing accountability.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao asked all CMOs to work for the welfare of cities and citizens with new thinking and a new work methodology. He instructed to make the emerging cities of the state well-organized, well-planned, clean, and beautiful, as well as to develop adequate public facilities for citizens. He asked the Divisional Joint Directors of all five divisions to personally inspect each municipality and Nagar Panchayat every quarter and submit a report to the Director. Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department, Dr. Basavaraju S., Director Shri R. Ekka, and CEO of the State Urban Development Agency (SUDA), Shri Shashank Pandey, were also present in the review meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao instructed all CMOs to complete the taxation work on new properties of Nagar Panchayats by May 31. He asked to collect taxes such as property tax, water tax, and user charges seriously and strictly to increase revenue collection. He instructed to identify unnecessary electricity connections through energy audit and take action for their disconnection. He also asked to ensure timely payment of salaries and electricity bills every month for all employees of the body.
Shri Sao directed to make special efforts for water conservation and asked to construct rainwater harvesting structures in 100% of buildings. He asked to complete the cleaning of large drains and drainage systems by May 31 and take necessary measures to prevent waterlogging during the monsoon. Shri Sao instructed all CMOs to reside at the headquarters and monitor the cleanliness and development works of the city by conducting morning rounds daily. He asked to keep local public representatives with them during the rounds. Expressing strong displeasure over the laxity shown by CMOs in their morning rounds, he directed them to inspect works mandatorily every day.
Shri Sao emphasized providing better facilities to citizens in cities and asked to identify places for playgrounds and gardens for children. He instructed to complete the construction of the ongoing Nalanda campuses in Kukuri and Ambahgarh-Chowki by December this year. Shri Sao asked to work with foresight on the water supply system and ensure adequate arrangements for the next ten years. He instructed to prioritize water supply and make robust arrangements for it using funds from the 15th Finance Commission.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao asked to clean all drains, nalies, drainage systems, and ponds before the monsoon season. He instructed to fix pipeline leakages and ensure the supply of clean and safe drinking water to all households. Shri Sao asked to complete the construction of houses sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) 2.0 within one year. He said that it is the responsibility of the CMO to sanction and build PM houses for the needy in the city. He asked to actively and seriously work on this and issue building construction permission within one week of sanctioning the house. He asked to call beneficiaries after sanctioning the house and provide them with all the rules and procedures related to the scheme, including the Chief Minister’s Griha Pravesh Samman.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao also instructed in the meeting to ensure preparations to benefit city dwellers in accordance with the government’s guidelines under the Good Governance festival starting from May 1 across the state. Additional Director of the Urban Administration and Development Department, Shri Pulak Bhattacharya, Chief Engineer Shri Rajesh Sharma, and engineers of Nagar Panchayats were also present in the review meeting.
Works and Schemes Reviewed
In the marathon meeting that lasted all day, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao reviewed the works related to revenue collection in Nagar Panchayats, payment of electricity bills, salary payments, infrastructure development and 15th Finance Commission works, Nalanda campuses, Nagarothan Yojana, water supply schemes, disaster management, Godhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Amrit Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, PM Svanidhi Yojana, Atal Monitoring Portal, i-got Karmayogi, and rainwater harvesting.
