The Chhattisgarh government has taken a significant step to rename the official residence of the state governor. In a formal notification issued on Tuesday, the historic Raj Bhawan has been redesignated as Lok Bhawan. This move aligns with a broader national initiative discussed among the country's governors.
The Official Directive and Its Origins
This administrative change is not an isolated decision by the state. It directly follows a key recommendation made during the 2024 conference of governors. The Government of India's Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently communicated this decision to the state, prompting the official action.
Confirming the development, C R Prasanna, the Secretary to the Governor, stated that a formal notification has been dispatched from the Governor's office to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. The state government's notification was issued acting upon these central directions.
Ensuring Uniform Implementation Across Administration
The governor's secretariat has issued clear instructions to ensure the new name is adopted consistently. As per the order, all official correspondence, government records, and communications must now refer to the complex as "Lok Bhavan".
To guarantee seamless implementation across all levels of administration, copies of the renaming order have been sent to several high-profile offices. These include:
- The President's Secretariat
- The Prime Minister's Office
- The Union Home Minister's office
- The Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh
- All state government departments
- All District Collectors
- The Deputy Secretary to the Governor
Symbolism and Administrative Alignment
The renaming from Raj Bhawan (which translates to 'King's House') to Lok Bhawan (meaning 'People's House') carries profound symbolic weight. It reflects a contemporary governance ethos that emphasizes public connection and accessibility.
By aligning the state's terminology with the central directive from the 2024 conference, Chhattisgarh ensures administrative uniformity with other states that may adopt similar changes. This state-wide directive underscores the government's commitment to implementing national-level decisions efficiently and consistently across all its bureaucratic channels.
