The Chhattisgarh government is preparing to roll out the next phase of its flagship Niyad Nellanar programme in the remote and formerly Maoist-affected regions of Bastar. The initiative is aimed at ensuring that government welfare schemes reach every eligible household in some of the state’s most inaccessible villages, while strengthening access to essential services and development programmes.
The roadmap for Niyad Nellanar 2.0 was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel at Mahanadi Bhawan on Friday. The meeting also reviewed the implementation strategy for other key initiatives, including Bastar Munne and Sughhar Chhattisgarh initiatives.
The first phase of the Niyad Nellanar programme had covered villages located around security camps in Bijapur, Sukma, Dantewada, Kanker and Narayanpur districts. Through that effort, residents gained access to 25 beneficiary-oriented schemes and 14 community facilities.
Building on that experience, the second phase will significantly widen the scope of intervention. Under Niyad Nellanar 2.0, villagers will be linked to 31 individual beneficiary schemes, 14 community-level facilities and 10 essential public services through a saturation-based approach designed to ensure that no eligible person is left out.
The programme will cover a wide range of welfare benefits, including MGNREGA job cards, old age, widow and disability pensions, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, ration cards and free foodgrain distribution, Ayushman cards, sanitation schemes, nutrition services, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Mission Indradhanush vaccination, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
Eligible residents will also be connected with PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, Kisan Credit Cards, Soil Health Cards, Jan Dhan accounts, skill development programmes and educational support such as free uniforms and textbooks. The campaign will facilitate the preparation of Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, labour cards, individual forest rights titles and certificates related to caste, birth, residence, death and EWS status.
Alongside individual benefits, the government plans to strengthen rural infrastructure in remote forested regions. Priority projects include Anganwadi centres, healthcare facilities, fair price shops, roads, mobile connectivity, post offices, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, Common Service Centres, panchayat buildings, banking services and new colleges at the block level.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials from departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Home, Tribal Welfare, School Education, Finance, Health, Revenue, Housing, Tourism, Technical Education and Labour.
The Chief Secretary directed all departments to work in close coordination and ensure that the schemes are implemented within the prescribed timeline so that development benefits reach every eligible household in the region.