Governance Training For Chhattisgarh Cabinet At IIM

The message is clear. The challenge for politicians in a welfare state does not end with winning elections.

By Mahima Katal

New Delhi, July 4: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Chief Minister and cabinet ministers of Chhattisgarh are undergoing a training programme at the premier Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Raipur to learn about artificial intelligence, rural economy and life values while honing their leadership skills which would enable them prepare the roadmap for better governance in the state.

The top political leadership, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, will attend several sessions during the two-day programme which began today. The message is clear. The challenge for politicians in a welfare state does not end with winning elections.

The training comes at a time when several backward areas of the state has just come out of the shadow of naxal movement. The government faces the challenging task of living up to the expectations of people by reforming administration and streamlining delivery of services in remote areas of the state.olitical leadership, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, will

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and cabinet ministers attending training session in IIM, Raipur. Photo source: Chhattisgarh information department

The reflection camp brings together Cabinet ministers in the IIM campus for intensive discussions with policymakers, management experts and thought leaders which would enable the state government align its governance model with the Centre's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). The Ministers will stay on campus throughout the programme to facilitate continuous deliberations and policy discussions.

The initiative assumes significance as the Sai government plans to strengthen governance amid changing developmental priorities, particularly in regions such as Bastar, where the focus is increasingly shifting from security concerns to infrastructure development, investment, agriculture, tourism and the delivery of welfare schemes.

The first day of the programme opened with a session by motivational speaker Gaur Gopal Das, who spoke on leadership, ethical decision-making, emotional balance and the responsibilities of public office. The session emphasised that ministers today are expected not only to administer departments but also to inspire public trust, make balanced decisions during crises and respond sensitively to evolving public expectations.

Technology-driven governance formed another key theme of the training. Abhay Karandikar addressed ministers on the growing role of artificial intelligence, digital governance and data-driven policymaking, highlighting how emerging technologies can improve decision-making, monitoring and transparency in government programmes. The discussions also explored how technology could help deliver welfare schemes more efficiently in remote and tribal regions of the state.

Agriculture and rural development also featured prominently during the camp. NITI Aayog member Dr Ramesh Chand spoke on strengthening rural incomes, promoting value addition in agriculture, supporting local enterprises and adopting village-centric development models. His session focused on improving the rural economy, which remains central to Chhattisgarh's growth strategy.

The government aims to prepare its ministers for the next phase of governance in Bastar, where improving roads, healthcare, education, livelihoods and tourism has become a priority alongside sustaining peace and stability.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the training as a reflection camp in the backdrop of the changing demands of governance. He said governments must continuously learn, evaluate their performance and adapt to emerging challenges. The two-day programme signals the state's attempt to build a more professional, technology-enabled and results-oriented Cabinet capable of meeting rising public expectations.

This is the first instances of an entire state Cabinet undergoing structured executive training at a premier management institution, reflecting a growing emphasis on capacity building and evidence-based governance in public administration. By top political leadership, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, will attend