Source: Indian Express
Context
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has been undertaking unannounced village visits under the Sushasan Tihar 2026 (Good Governance Festival) initiative, where villagers approach him with development requests. As reported by the Indian Express, requests across districts have included GI tags for local rice varieties, irrigation projects, and welfare items like sewing machines. The visits combine direct community interaction, on-the-spot decisions, and ground-level inspection of schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Mahtari Vandan Yojana, Krishak Unnati Yojana, and the SAMRIDHI-M-CAD irrigation scheme.
The Initiative
- Initiative name: Sushasan Tihar 2026 (Good Governance Festival).
- Format: Unannounced visits by the CM to villages across Chhattisgarh.
- Approach: Real-time governance, on-the-spot decision-making, and ground-level verification.
Examples of Schemes Reaching the Ground
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing.
- Mahtari Vandan Yojana (Chhattisgarh’s women’s welfare cash transfer scheme).
- Krishak Unnati Yojana (Chhattisgarh’s farmer income support scheme).
- SAMRIDHI-M-CAD (Modernisation of Command Area Development) for irrigation, launched in April 2025 under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
What is a GI Tag?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products with a specific geographical origin, possessing qualities or a reputation due to that origin.
- Recognised under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- Administered by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- India has registered about 700+ GI tags so far.
- Examples include Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Kanchipuram Silk, Mysore Silk, Banarasi Saree, Chanderi Sarees, Pochampally Ikat, Madhubani Paintings, Mithila Makhana, Chak-Hao Black Rice, and many more.
Existing Rice GI Tags in India
- Basmati Rice (multiple states in the IGP region).
- Pokkali Rice (Kerala).
- Wayanad Jeerakasala Rice (Kerala).
- Wayanad Gandhakasala Rice (Kerala).
- Kaipad Rice (Kerala).
- Navara Rice (Kerala).
- Palakkadan Matta Rice (Kerala).
- Joha Rice (Assam).
- Boka Chaul (Assam).
- Chokuwa Rice (Assam).
- Katarni Rice (Bihar).
- Marcha Rice (Bihar).
- Chak-Hao Black Rice (Manipur).
- Bhopal Sharbati Rice (Madhya Pradesh).
What is SAMRIDHI-M-CAD?
- Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management Programme.
- Launched in April 2025 under the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- Aims to modernise irrigation infrastructure with pressurised irrigation, micro-irrigation, GIS-based water budgeting, and Water Users’ Committee management.
- Targets water-use efficiency, in line with the “more crop per drop” vision.
What is Mahtari Vandan Yojana?
- A flagship scheme of the Chhattisgarh Government under CM Vishnu Deo Sai.
- Provides monthly cash transfers to married women in the state (about ₹1,000 per month).
- A fiscal transfer aimed at women’s economic empowerment.
What is Krishak Unnati Yojana?
- A scheme that provides additional income support to farmers in Chhattisgarh, on top of the MSP.
- Designed to address farm income volatility and boost agricultural livelihoods.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system in India, consider the following statements:
- GI tags are governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
- The GI Registry is administered by the DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- India has registered about 700+ GI tags so far.
- Darjeeling Tea was India’s first registered GI product.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. With reference to existing rice GI tags in India, consider the following statements:
- Chak-Hao Black Rice is a GI-tagged rice from Manipur.
- Pokkali Rice, Navara Rice, and Palakkadan Matta Rice are GI-tagged rice varieties from Kerala.
- Joha Rice and Boka Chaul are GI-tagged rice varieties from Assam.
- Marcha Rice and Katarni Rice are GI-tagged rice varieties from Bihar.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q3. With reference to the SAMRIDHI-M-CAD scheme and lift irrigation projects, consider the following statements:
- SAMRIDHI-M-CAD is a Central scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the modernisation of command area development.
- It was launched in April 2025.
- The Bagia lift irrigation project in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, will cover about 4,933 hectares of land across 13 villages.
- SAMRIDHI-M-CAD is implemented by the Ministry of Defence.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; SAMRIDHI-M-CAD is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, NOT the Ministry of Defence.)
Q4. With reference to Chhattisgarh, consider the following statements:
- Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000.
- The state is often called the “Rice Bowl of India” because of its rich heritage of traditional rice varieties.
- Tribals form a significant portion of Chhattisgarh’s population, including communities like Gond, Halba, Kanwar, Baiga, and Korwa.
- Vishnu Deo Sai became the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in December 2023, succeeding Bhupesh Baghel.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because SAMRIDHI-M-CAD is implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
Exam Relevance
| NABARD Grade A | Very high importance, irrigation, agriculture, GI tags, rural welfare |
