CM Sai Hails Bijapur Block's No. 2 NITI Aayog Ranking
Synopsis
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai hailed Usur block in Bijapur district securing second rank nationally under NITI Aayog's Champions of Change programme, attributing the achievement to two years of mission-mode governance in health, education, nutrition and infrastructure in aspirational and LWE-affected regions.
Key Takeaways
Usur development block in Bijapur district , Chhattisgarh, has secured second rank nationally under NITI Aayog's Champions of Change programme.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai attributed the achievement to two years of mission-mode governance since the BJP government took office in December 2023 .
Priority areas cited include health, nutrition, education, agriculture, infrastructure and general public welfare in remote regions.
Bijapur is a Bastar -region district historically classified as aspirational and affected by left-wing extremism.
NITI Aayog's Aspirational Districts Programme , launched in 2018 , covers 112 backward districts and uses real-time delta rankings to drive competitive improvement.
The ranking positions Chhattisgarh as a standout performer in the national framework of competitive federalism for remote district development.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday, 24 May 2026, celebrated the Usur development block of Bijapur district securing the second rank nationally under NITI Aayog's 'Champions of Change' programme, calling it a matter of pride for the state.
Context
Posting in Hindi, CM Sai said: 'बीजापुर के उसूर विकासखंड को नीति आयोग के चैंपियंस ऑफ चेंज कार्यक्रम के तहत देश में दूसरा स्थान मिलना छत्तीसगढ़ के लिए गर्व का विषय है' ['It is a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh that Usur block of Bijapur has secured second place in the country under NITI Aayog's Champions of Change programme']. He credited two years of mission-mode governance focused on health, nutrition, education, agriculture, basic infrastructure and public welfare in remote and aspirational areas.
Bijapur is a district in the Bastar region of southern Chhattisgarh, historically classified as aspirational and long affected by left-wing extremism. Achieving a top-two national ranking in a competitive NITI Aayog framework marks a notable shift in the district's governance trajectory.
Policy Backdrop
NITI Aayog launched the Aspirational Districts Programme in January 2018 to accelerate socio-economic development in 112 of India's most backward districts through real-time delta rankings across health, education, nutrition, financial inclusion and infrastructure. The Champions of Change initiative is an extension of this framework, recognising top-performing blocks and districts to incentivise competitive improvement among states.
The Chhattisgarh BJP government, which took office in December 2023, has consistently positioned the development of LWE-affected and tribal regions as a governance priority. Mission-mode interventions in Bijapur and neighbouring Bastar districts have been a stated focus of the administration since its formation.
Stakeholders and Impact
The ranking directly benefits residents of Usur block and the broader Bijapur district — predominantly tribal communities who have historically faced deficits in healthcare access, school enrolment, nutrition outcomes and road connectivity. A top national ranking signals measurable improvement in these indicators, which NITI Aayog tracks in near real-time.
For the state government, the recognition provides political validation of its development-first approach in a region where security and governance challenges have long coexisted. Tribal welfare organisations and local panchayat bodies in Bastar are among the key stakeholders who stand to see continued central and state investment as a result of such rankings.
What's Next
The next round of NITI Aayog delta rankings for aspirational blocks will be a closely watched benchmark for whether Usur can consolidate or improve its position. State budget allocations for Bijapur and neighbouring districts in 2026-27 are expected to reflect the momentum generated by this recognition. CM Sai's public acknowledgement also signals that the administration may use the ranking to push for enhanced central funding under aspirational district schemes in the months ahead.
Point of View
Where real-time performance metrics push state administrations to deliver measurable outcomes in their most neglected regions. For the Sai government, the recognition in a Bastar-region district carries particular political weight — it reframes a zone long defined by security challenges as a development success story. The timing, roughly two and a half years into the BJP administration's term, allows the party to build a governance record ahead of future electoral cycles. Sustained improvement will depend on whether mission-mode attention continues beyond the ranking cycle or dissipates once the political dividend is banked.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NITI Aayog's Champions of Change programme?
Champions of Change is a NITI Aayog initiative that recognises top-performing blocks and districts on indicators such as health, education, nutrition and infrastructure, building on the broader Aspirational Districts Programme launched in 2018.
Which block in Chhattisgarh ranked second under Champions of Change?
Usur development block in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh, secured the second rank nationally under NITI Aayog's Champions of Change programme, as announced by CM Vishnu Deo Sai on 24 May 2026.
What is the Aspirational Districts Programme?
The Aspirational Districts Programme is a flagship NITI Aayog scheme launched in January 2018 targeting 112 of India's most backward districts through real-time delta rankings across health, education, nutrition, financial inclusion and infrastructure.
Why is Bijapur district significant in Chhattisgarh?
Bijapur is a district in the Bastar region of southern Chhattisgarh, historically classified as an aspirational district and long affected by left-wing extremism, making its top national ranking under NITI Aayog particularly notable.
When did Vishnu Deo Sai become Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh?
Vishnu Deo Sai became Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh in December 2023 after the BJP's victory in the state assembly elections, with tribal welfare and remote district development as stated governance priorities.
