Chief Minister
unveiled the statue of State’s first Finance Minister Korea Kumar Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev
Koriya Kumar, rich in multifaceted personality,
devoted his entire life to the development of Chhattisgarh.
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Dr. Singhdev, the Chief Minister shared political
and personal memories,
paid floral tributes at the tomb
Chief Minister performed Bhumi Pujan of development works costing Rs 10.99 crore
Raipur, 13 February 2023
Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel today unveiled the statue of the first Finance Minister of the state, late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, popularly known as Korea Kumar, at Ghadi Chowk in Baikunthpur, district headquarters of Korea, on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Today this Chowk was dedicated to Koriya Kumar. The Chief Minister paid tribute by garlanding his statue.
Remembering late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that his entire life was dedicated to Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh and Korea were always at the center of his thinking and he always kept discussing about the development here. 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, rich in cheerful personality. The Chief Minister said that the way the tribals take from nature only according to their needs, they do not store it. That’s how Koriya Kumar lived in his life. Recalling his PHE minister’s tenure, the Chief Minister said that during that time Dr. Singhdev himself had visited the area to study his water recharging work. His expertise lay in water management and irrigation projects. He also had family relations with Dr. Singhdev. He was always mingling with the children.
The 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 basis of the economy of Chhattisgarh laid by him as the Finance Minister. The Chief Minister said that Dr. Singhdev always used to say that don’t call me Kumar Saheb, call me Uncle. 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 labor law and mid-day meal scheme, which is 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.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel performed Bhumi Pujan of various development works costing about Rs. 10.99 crore in the district, in these works Rs. 7.63 crore for Municipal Council Baikunthpur, Rs. 2.86 crore for Municipal Council Shivpur-Charcha including various development works of Rs. 50 lakh The community hall of Sarva Adivasi Samaj is included in Baikunthpur at a cost of Rs.
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, expertise in water management and keen interest in photography Dr. Singhdeo’s identity-
Late Dr. Ramchandra Singhdev, popularly known as “Koriya Kumar”, was born on February 13, 1930 at 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 being separated from Madhya Pradesh and becoming Chhattisgarh, he became the first Finance Minister of the state. 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.
