Polity of Chhattisgarh

Formation of Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on November 1, 2000.
It became the 26th state of India under the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000.
First Governor
Dinesh Nandan Sahay was the first Governor of Chhattisgarh.
He served from 2000 to 2003.
First Chief Minister
Ajit Jogi of the Indian National Congress was the first Chief Minister.
He served from 2000 to 2003.
State Emblem
The state emblem features a rice plant, wheel, and tribal motifs.
It symbolizes agriculture, progress, and tribal heritage.

Current Leadership

Current Governor
Biswabhusan Harichandan is the Governor of Chhattisgarh (appointed in 2023).
The Governor is the constitutional head of the state.
Current Chief Minister
Bhupesh Baghel of the Indian National Congress is the current CM (since December 2018).
He represents the Patan constituency.
Deputy Chief Minister
The state currently does not have a Deputy CM.
Current Speaker of the Assembly
Dr. Charandas Mahant serves as the Speaker of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
Leader of the Opposition
Narayan Chandel from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the current Leader of the Opposition.

Administrative Structure

Legislature
Chhattisgarh has a unicameral legislature with 90 seats.
The Legislative Assembly's term is 5 years unless dissolved earlier.
High Court
The Chhattisgarh High Court is located in Bilaspur.
Established on January 1, 2001, it is the 19th High Court of India.
Judges of the High Court
The sanctioned strength is 22 judges, including the Chief Justice.
Current Chief Justice
Ramesh Sinha is the current Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court (appointed in 2023).

District Administration

Number of Districts
Chhattisgarh comprises 33 districts.
The newest district, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, was created in 2022.
Divisions
The state is divided into 5 divisions: Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bastar, and Surguja.
Collector's Role
The District Collector is responsible for revenue collection, law and order, and disaster management.
 Police Structure
The state police is headed by the Director General of Police (DGP).
The current DGP is Ashok Juneja.

Panchayati Raj

Three-Tier Structure
Panchayati Raj in Chhattisgarh operates at three levels: Zila Parishad, Janpad Panchayat, and Gram
Panchayat.
Number of Gram Panchayats
The state has over 11,000 gram panchayats.
PESA Act
The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) applies to tribal areas of
Chhattisgarh.
It empowers local tribal communities in decision-making.

State Finances

Annual Budget
The state budget is presented by the Finance Minister.
The current Finance Minister is Bhupesh Baghel.
Revenue Sources
Major revenue comes from mining royalties, agriculture, and industries.
Fiscal Responsibility
The state adheres to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM) to ensure fiscal
discipline.

Key Policies and Schemes

Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana

Provides financial assistance to farmers to promote agriculture.
Launched in 2020 under CM Bhupesh Baghel.
Godhan Nyay Yojana
Focuses on purchasing cow dung from farmers to produce organic fertilizers.
Aims to boost rural employment.
Mukhyamantri Haat-Bazaar Clinic Yojana
Mobile clinics provide healthcare in tribal and rural areas.
Mor Zameen-Mor Makaan Yojana
Focuses on providing land and housing for the underprivileged.
Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY)
Aims to provide free smartphones to rural women and students.

Law and Order

Anti-Naxal Operations
Chhattisgarh faces significant Naxalite insurgency, particularly in Bastar.
Operations are conducted under the Unified Command Structure.
Special Police Stations
Several districts have women-only police stations for handling gender-based crimes.
Lok Adalats
Regularly held in the state to resolve pending cases amicably.
Organized under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987.
Miscellaneous

Raj Bhavan
The Governor's residence, Raj Bhavan, is located in Raipur.
State Election Commission
Responsible for conducting local body elections.
Headed by a State Election Commissioner.
Human Rights Commission
The Chhattisgarh State Human Rights Commission safeguards citizens’ rights.
Established in 2007.
Lokayukta
Investigates allegations of corruption and maladministration.
Active since 2004.

Law Enforcement and Judiciary

State Legal Services Authority (SLSA)

Established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
Provides free legal aid to the weaker sections of society.
Police Reform Measures
Initiatives like community policing and women-centric helplines have been launched.
Dedicated police wings focus on anti-trafficking and cybercrimes.
e-Courts Initiative
Chhattisgarh High Court and subordinate courts are part of the e-Courts project.
Aims to provide efficient, digital access to justice.
Fast-Track Courts
Established to expedite cases related to rape, child abuse, and heinous crimes.
Contributes significantly to reducing pendency in sensitive cases.

Scheduled and Tribal Areas

Schedule V Areas
Significant parts of Chhattisgarh fall under Schedule V of the Constitution.
Governance in these areas emphasizes protection of tribal rights and traditions.
Autonomous Councils
Autonomous councils for tribal areas include Bastar Development Authority and Surguja Development Authority.
Aim to promote self-governance and development.
Tribal Advisory Council
Formed under Article 244(1) of the Constitution.
Advises the Governor on matters related to tribal development and welfare.

Governance Reforms

Right to Public Services Act

Guarantees timely delivery of various public services to citizens.
Covers over 100 services, including land records and caste certificates.
Jan Choupal Program
A participatory initiative where government officials directly interact with citizens.
Aims to address local grievances in rural areas.
e-Governance Initiatives
Programs like CG e-District offer digital services such as birth/death certificates, ration cards, and tax payments.
Padhai Tuhar Dwar
An e-learning initiative launched during COVID-19 to ensure continuity of education.

Local Governance
Urban Local Bodies
Includes Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats.
 There are 14 municipal corporations in Chhattisgarh, with Raipur being the largest.
Notable Mayors
The Mayor of Raipur Municipal Corporation, currently Aijaz Dhebar, oversees urban governance.
Smart City Mission
Raipur and Bilaspur are part of the Smart Cities Mission.
Projects include development of infrastructure, digital governance, and waste management systems.
Swachh Survekshan Performance
Chhattisgarh consistently ranks among the cleanest states in India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Social Justice and Empowerment

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Welfare

Chhattisgarh has dedicated departments for SC/ST welfare.
Focus areas include education, employment, and land rights.
Women and Child Development
Schemes like Mukhyamantri Suposhan Yojana address malnutrition among children and pregnant women.
Disabled Persons Welfare
Special provisions under the Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan to enhance accessibility for disabled citizens.
Minority Welfare
Scholarships and skill development programs are available for minority communities under the Minority Welfare
Department.

Representation and Elections

Parliamentary Constituencies
Chhattisgarh sends 11 Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha.
Rajya Sabha has 5 representatives from the state.
Reserved Seats
10 Assembly constituencies and 4 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
State Assembly Elections
The last assembly elections were held in 2018, with INC winning 68 seats.
The next elections are due in 2023.
Voter Turnout
Chhattisgarh often records a high voter turnout, averaging 76% in the last elections.

Historical Legislation

Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959

Governs land tenure and revenue collection.
Includes special provisions for protecting tribal land rights.
Chhattisgarh Panchayati Raj Act, 1993
Establishes the framework for decentralized governance.
Facilitates democratic participation at the grassroots level.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
Empowers forest dwellers with land and resource rights.
Plays a key role in tribal welfare.

Key Infrastructure

New Capital Development

Naya Raipur (renamed Atal Nagar) is the new administrative capital.
It is a planned city with a focus on modern governance infrastructure.
Vidhan Sabha Complex
Located in Naya Raipur, it hosts sessions of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
State Secretariat
Houses major departments and is the hub of state administration.
Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan
Headquarters for several government initiatives, located in Raipur.
Miscellaneous Polity Notes

State Symbols
State Tree: Sal (Shorea robusta).
State Animal: Wild Buffalo.
State Bird: Hill Myna.
State Planning Commission
Assists in formulating economic policies and development plans.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Widely implemented in infrastructure projects like roads and hospitals.
Lok Seva Kendra
Centers that facilitate access to government services.
CM Helpline 1100
Launched to register and resolve citizen grievances.

Administrative Innovations

Mitan Yojana
A doorstep delivery system for government services, launched in 2022.
Services include income certificates, domicile certificates, and ration card corrections.
Right to Information (RTI)
Implemented effectively to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
The State Information Commission ensures adherence to RTI provisions.
Public Grievance Redressal
Initiatives like Samadhan Shivir address citizen complaints at the grassroots level.
Online Grievance Portal
Citizens can file grievances through the Chhattisgarh Samadhan Portal for quick redressal.

Police Reforms

Chhattisgarh Police Act, 2007

Provides the legal framework for policing in the state.
Focuses on community participation and transparency in law enforcement.
Mahila Police Stations
Exclusively handle cases related to women and children.
Aim to create a safe and supportive environment for victims.
Anti-Human Trafficking Units
Specialized units are operational in several districts.
Focused on rescuing victims and prosecuting traffickers.
Bastar Fighter Force
A specialized police unit created to combat Naxal insurgency in Bastar.
Comprises local youth for better coordination and understanding of the terrain.

Development Authorities

Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC)

Promotes industrialization and investment in the state.
Facilitates land allocation, infrastructure, and business support.
Bastar Development Authority (BDA)
Established to focus on the development of tribal and backward areas in Bastar.
Implements schemes for health, education, and infrastructure.
Surguja Development Authority
Works on improving agriculture, healthcare, and tribal welfare in the Surguja region.
State Departments

Department of Tribal Welfare

Ensures implementation of policies related to education, employment, and rights of Scheduled Tribes.
Administers scholarships and vocational training programs.
Department of Women and Child Development
Manages key initiatives like Anganwadi centers and nutrition programs.
Focuses on reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.
Department of Forests
Oversees the conservation of forests, wildlife, and biodiversity.
Implements the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation) program.

Electoral Process

Delimitation of Constituencies
Chhattisgarh's Assembly constituencies were reorganized under the Delimitation Act, 2002.
The total number of Assembly seats is 90, with 29 reserved for STs.
State Election Commission
Conducts elections for local bodies, including panchayats and urban municipalities.
Ensures free and fair elections.
Voter Education Programs
Campaigns like SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) aim to increase voter awareness.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
Used in all Assembly and Parliamentary elections since 2004.

Legislative Powers

State Legislative Assembly Sessions

The Assembly holds three sessions annually: Budget, Monsoon, and Winter sessions.
Important bills like the Chhattisgarh Fiscal Responsibility Act are passed here.
Role of Governor in Legislation
The Governor has the power to assent to bills, withhold assent, or reserve them for the President.
Plays a key role in the promulgation of ordinances.

Social Reforms

PDS (Public Distribution System) Reforms

Chhattisgarh is a pioneer in food security, ensuring distribution of subsidized food grains.
Introduced biometric systems to curb leakages.
Education Guarantee Scheme (EGS)
Ensures access to primary education in remote and tribal areas.
Supported by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan.
Skill Development Mission
Provides vocational training to youth under the Chhattisgarh Kaushalya Yojana.
Urban Employment Scheme
The Mukhyamantri Urban Slum Swavalamban Yojana focuses on providing jobs in urban areas.

Inter-State Relations

Water Sharing Agreements

Agreements exist with Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra over river waters.
Major disputes concern the Mahanadi and Godavari river basins.
Naxal Coordination Center (NCC)
Coordinates anti-Naxal operations with neighboring states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
Inter-State Council Participation
Chhattisgarh actively participates in meetings to resolve issues of law and order and resource allocation.
Environmental Policies

State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC)

Focuses on mitigating climate change impacts through afforestation and renewable energy projects.
Biodiversity Management Committees
Established at the local level under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Responsible for preserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.
Eco-Tourism Policy
Promotes sustainable tourism in areas like Barnawapara, Kanger Valley, and Achanakmar.
Integrates tribal participation in tourism management.

This comprehensive coverage of Chhattisgarh's polity should serve as a quick revision tool for your
judiciary prelims. Let me know if you'd like further notes on specific topics!