Chief Minister unveiled the statue of State's first Finance Minister 'Koriya Kumar' Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev

Rich in multifaceted personality, Koriya Kumar devoted his entire life to the development of Chhattisgarh

Chief Minister shared political and personal memories on the occasion of Dr. Singhdev's birth anniversary, paid floral tribute

Chief Minister performed Bhumi Pujan of development works worth Rs 10.99 crore

TNINS 

Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel today unveiled the statue of state's first Finance Minister, Late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, popularly known as 'Koriya Kumar', at Ghadi Chowk, Baikunthpur, the district headquarters of Koriya, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Chief Minister paid tribute to late Dr Ramchandra Singhdev by garlanding his statue.

Remembering late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that his entire life was dedicated to Chhattisgarh. Development and betterment of Chhattisgarh and Koriya were always the core of his vision, and he worked sincerely to realize this vision. He was a multifaceted personality. Mr. Baghel said that Koriya Kumar Dr. Singhdev may have been born in a royal family, but he lived the life of a fakir. His life was very simple. He was frugal throughout his life. Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev was easygoing, simple, sociable, and had cheerful personality. Chief Minister said that the way the tribals take from nature only as per their requirement and do not store it, in the same way Koriya Kumar lived his life with simplicity. Recalling his tenure as PHE Minister, Chief Minister said that back then, Dr. Singhdev had personally visited the area to study water recharging work there. His expertise was in water management and irrigation projects. Mr. Baghel told that Dr. Singhdev was part of the family. 

          Chief Minister said that when he became an MLA and a minister in 1967, half of the portfolios were with him. He also rendered remarkable services as the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. When Chhattisgarh was formed, he became the first finance minister of the state. His thoughts and ideas are the foundation of the progressive economy of Chhattisgarh today. Today, Chhattisgarh is moving fast on the foundation of the economy of Chhattisgarh laid by him as the Finance Minister. Chief Minister told that Dr. Singhdev would often ask him to call him uncle instead of Kumar Saheb. The absence of such a simple-minded and sociable person is definitely an irreparable loss for all of us.

           Chief Minister Mr. Baghel also mentioned the contribution of Koriya Kumar's father late Mr. Ramanuja Pratap Singhdeo in the making of labour law and mid-day meal scheme, which is being implemented in the entire country today. He said that the love and affection of Koriya Kumar was always with him. Today, on this occasion, I pay my respects to that great personality who devoted his entire life to the development of the state, said Mr. Baghel.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel performed Bhumi Pujan of various development works costing about Rs. 10.99 crore for the district, which includes works worth Rs. 7.63 crore for Municipal Council Baikunthpur, works of Rs. 2.86 crore for Municipal Council Shivpur-Charcha and various other development works of Rs. 50 lakh including the community hall of Sarva Adivasi Samaj in Baikunthpur* 

           On this occasion, Vidhansabha Speaker Dr. Charandas Mahant, Minister in-charge of Home, Public Works and District Mr. Tamradhwaj Sahu, Health Minister Mr. T.S. Singhdev, School Education Minister Dr. Premsai Singh Tekam, Parliamentary Secretary and Baikunthpur MLA Mrs. Ambika Singhdev, Vice President of Surguja Development Authority and Bharatpur-Sonhat MLA Mr. Gulab Kamro and Director, CGMSC and Manendragarh MLA Dr. Vinay Jaiswal including local public representatives, eminent citizens and elders. Common people were present in large numbers.

Skilled politician, expert in water management and keen interest in photography were important aspects of Dr. Singhdeo's identity-

 Late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, popularly known as "Koriya Kumar", was born on February 13, 1930 in Baikunthpur, the district headquarters. From 1967 to 2000, Dr. Singhdev was a member of the Legislative Assembly, Minister of Irrigation and Deputy Chairman of the State Planning Board in undivided Madhya Pradesh. After Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh, he became the first Finance Minister of Chhattisgarh. He did his schooling at Rajkumar College, Raipur and higher education at Allahabad University, from where he obtained MSc in Chemistry and PhD in Sociology. His interest was in photography, book writing. He had fundamental thoughts on advanced forms of irrigation, planning, economics, he always had an active participation in various national seminars organized on issues of public interest. He was also honored for efficient water management by an international organization based in Germany.