State Administration
Chhattisgarh Cabinet Convenes at Mahanadi Bhawan as CM Sai Meets UNICEF on Child Health
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a cabinet meeting and held separate talks with UNICEF leadership on July 22, 2026 at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, addressing child welfare, health and development priorities as the state capital continues its administrative functions from the planned city.
| Meeting Date | 22 July 2026 (Wednesday) |
|---|---|
| Location | Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, Sector 19, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar |
| Chief Minister | Vishnu Deo Sai |
| UNICEF Representative | Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India |
| Cabinet Focus Areas | Child health, nutrition, education, social development; one-time settlement scheme for Nava Raipur |
| UNICEF Meeting Topics | Maternal and child health, malnutrition elimination, child protection services |
| Cabinet Approval | Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme-2026 |
| Scheme Benefit | Relief on pending interest and charges payable on allotted plots and constructed properties in Nava Raipur |
Cabinet Convenes at State Secretariat
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai held a Cabinet meeting at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on 22 July 2026. Mahanadi Bhawan is the official State Secretariat of the Government of Chhattisgarh, located in Sector 19 of Nava Raipur, serving as the administrative headquarters where the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and senior bureaucrats manage the state's governance.
The meeting underscored Nava Raipur's continuing role as the seat of state administration since the building was inaugurated on 1 November 2012, coinciding with the 12th foundation day of Chhattisgarh.
UNICEF-CM Meeting on Child Welfare
Chief Minister Sai met UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey at Mantralaya, Mahanadi Bhawan. The meeting focused on strengthening maternal and child health, eliminating malnutrition and promoting the holistic development of children across the state, with an emphasis on expanding collaboration between the Chhattisgarh government and UNICEF to improve health and nutrition outcomes through coordinated action involving multiple government departments.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai called for a coordinated effort to strengthen maternal and child health and eliminate malnutrition across the state. He said that healthy mothers and healthy children form the strongest foundation of a developed Chhattisgarh.
Cabinet Approves Development Scheme for Nava Raipur
The Cabinet approved the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (NRDA) One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme-2026. The scheme will provide relief on pending interest and additional charges payable on allotted plots and constructed properties.
This is expected to improve better utilisation of land in Nava Raipur and encourage investment and accelerate development activities in the new capital region.
UNICEF's Two-Decade Presence in Chhattisgarh
McCaffrey said her visit had two key objectives: marking 20 years of UNICEF's presence in the state and understanding the opportunities under the Bastar Anjore initiative. UNICEF Representative to India Cynthia McCaffrey said the organisation will continue working with the Chhattisgarh government to ensure every child has access to quality health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and protection services.
McCaffrey said she was encouraged by the state's focus on improving the lives of vulnerable children and families.
About Nava Raipur Atal Nagar
Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP) was constituted by Chhattisgarh Government for planning and development of new capital city. NRANVP's efforts saw this green field city to be claimed as India's first integrated township.
After repaying a loan of Rs 1788 crore, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP), formerly known as NRDA, is now completely debt free as of April 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Why did the cabinet meet at Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur?
Mahanadi Bhawan is the official State Secretariat of Chhattisgarh, located in Sector 19 of Nava Raipur. The state has based its administrative functions in the planned capital city since the building's inauguration in November 2012.
What is the Nava Raipur OTS Scheme-2026?
The One Time Settlement Scheme approved by the cabinet provides relief on pending interest and additional charges payable on allotted plots and constructed properties in Nava Raipur, aimed at encouraging investment and accelerating development.
Why did UNICEF meet with the Chief Minister on this date?
UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey visited Chhattisgarh to mark 20 years of UNICEF's presence in the state and discuss opportunities under the Bastar Anjore initiative, which focuses on child welfare and development.
What is NRANVP?
Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran (NRANVP), formerly known as NRDA, is the urban planning authority constituted by the Chhattisgarh government for planning and developing Nava Raipur as India's first integrated smart township.
Is Nava Raipur fully operational as a capital?
Yes, Nava Raipur hosts the state secretariat and administrative functions. The cabinet meeting held there on July 22, 2026 demonstrates the city's role as the seat of Chhattisgarh's state administration.
What areas did UNICEF and the state agree to focus on?
The discussions centred on reducing maternal and infant mortality, eliminating malnutrition, strengthening child health and nutrition services, and promoting child protection and social development across the state through coordinated multi-departmental action.
Sources
- Chhattisgarh Cabinet Okays Urban Gas Distribution Policy - ETV Bharat
- CM Vishnu Deo Sai Meets UNICEF India Representative - Indian Masterminds
- Chhattisgarh CM calls for coordinated effort to strengthen maternal and child health - UNI
- UNICEF India chief McCaffrey lauds Chhattisgarh's focus on child welfare - ANI / The Tribune
- Mahanadi Bhawan - Wikipedia
- Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Vikas Pradhikaran - Official
- Nava Raipur Development Authority becomes debt free - ChhattisgarhTopNews