Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, is giving increasing importance to women’s leadership and empowerment in the state administration. A prominent example of this is the appointment of women IAS officers as collectors in several districts. Following the administrative reshuffle announced on August 18, women IAS officers are now heading 12 out of Chhattisgarh’s 33 districts. The appointments reflect the government’s emphasis on administrative experience, efficiency and leadership while also placing confidence in women officers in key district-level positions. 12 Chhattisgarh Districts Headed by Women Collectors The 12 districts currently headed by women IAS officers are: Kondagaon – Nupur Rashi Panna Bemetara – Pratishtha Mamgai Narayanpur – Namrata Jain Balod – Divya Mishra Surajpur – Rena Jamiel Sakti – Jayshree Jain Kabirdham – Tulika Prajapati Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki – Tanuja Salam Sarangarh-Bilaigarh – Padmini Bhoi Sahu Balrampur-Ramanujganj – Chandan Sanjay Tripathi Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur – Santan Devi Jangde Korea – Roktima Yadav Read also: Hareli Bird Festival 2026: Chhattisgarh Records 211 Bird Species Across 33 Districts with 1,000+ Participants Recent Reshuffle Gives Women Officers Key Responsibilities The latest administrative reshuffle on August 18 also assigned important district responsibilities to several women IAS officers. Jayshree Jain, a 2016-batch IAS officer, has been appointed Collector of Sakti district. Meanwhile, Tulika Prajapati, who was serving as Collector of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, has been appointed Collector of Kabirdham district. Tanuja Salam, who was serving as Director of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, has been given the responsibility of Collector of Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki. These changes underline the government's focus on assigning administrative responsibilities based on officers' capability, experience and performance, while also strengthening women's representation in district administration. Women’s Leadership Strengthens District Administration The Collector serves as a crucial link between the state government and people at the district level. The position involves overseeing the implementation of government policies and welfare programmes and coordinating development activities across the district. Collectors play an important role in areas including: Implementation of government schemes Development projects Public welfare programmes Education and healthcare Women and child development Revenue administration Law and order Monitoring district-level governance With women IAS officers leading 12 districts, their growing presence in these key administrative positions highlights the expanding role of women in governance and decision-making. Chhattisgarh Government Highlights Women’s Administrative Leadership The appointments are being viewed as an example of the state government’s focus on providing women with opportunities to take on important leadership and decision-making responsibilities. Under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the government has emphasised women’s empowerment not only through initiatives aimed at economic self-reliance but also by providing greater opportunities for women in leadership and administration. The presence of women collectors across 12 of the state’s 33 districts presents a significant picture of the changing administrative landscape in Chhattisgarh and the growing participation of women in senior governance roles. Read also: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Highlights ₹13,840 Crore Investment Proposals for Green Steel in Chhattisgarh, 10,921 Jobs Expected
