Continuous dialogue, development, and expansion of basic amenities in the Bastar region will strengthen public trust: Chief Minister Sai

In Short

*High-level review meeting on the overall development of Bastar held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

*All-round development of Bastar in progress under the double-engine government; concrete initiatives for special central assistance

*Extensive discussion on the roadmap for development along with Naxal eradication

*Secretaries instructed to visit the Bastar region and review the ground-level progress of schemes

*Special focus on basic amenities such as connectivity, education, health, employment, roads, drinking water, electricity, and communication

Raipur: Naxalism, which has long been the biggest obstacle to the development of Chhattisgarh, has now reached a decisive stage of its end. Thanks to the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the strong leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the indomitable courage of the security forces, peace is being restored in the Naxal-affected areas.

It is our primary responsibility to ensure that the violent ideology of Naxalism never raises its head again, and for this, public trust is being further strengthened through continuous dialogue, development works, and the expansion of basic amenities in the Bastar region. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said this while addressing a high-level review meeting focused on the overall development of the Bastar region at the Mahanadi Bhavan Secretariat on Tuesday January 13, 2025 .

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the clear objective of the double-engine government is to ensure the all-round and balanced development of Bastar.

The state and central governments are committed to connecting Bastar to the mainstream of development with the highest priority. He said that a comprehensive action plan for the development of Bastar will be prepared for the next three years and implemented in a mission mode. Chief Minister Sai instructed all departments to work in coordination with each other and directed the secretaries to visit the Bastar region and regularly review the ground-level progress of the schemes. Sai laid emphasised .

Chief Minister Sai also said that along with the end of Naxalism, the rapid expansion of basic amenities such as education, health, employment, roads, drinking water, electricity, and communication is extremely necessary so that the light of development reaches even the remotest areas and people’s trust in the government and administration is strengthened, CM added.

Referring to the spontaneous public participation in events like the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum, he said that the people of Bastar are fully prepared to move forward on the path of peace and development, CM noted.

During the meeting, while conducting a thorough review of drinking water, electrification, and mobile connectivity, the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure the provision of water supply from surface water sources for a permanent solution in fluoride-affected areas, expedite the electrification of the remaining villages, and accelerate the installation of mobile towers in remote areas.

He also emphasised the need to ensure 100% coverage of Aadhaar card enrollment by launching special campaigns for children. Discussing tourism development, Chief Minister Sai stressed the need to promote homestays, develop sites identified under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, construct the Bastar Tourism Corridor, and connect youth with tourism-based livelihoods.

He specifically appreciated the initiative to train 32 local guides from Bastar by IITTM Gwalior, CM Said .

The meeting also reviewed in detail various schemes related to the collection and processing of minor forest produce through ‘Van Dhan Kendras‘, “the speedy sanctioning of funds for schools without buildings in the education sector, the expansion of Navodaya and PM-SHRI schools, the strengthening of health infrastructure, the establishment of medical colleges, the PM-ABHIM scheme, bike ambulance services, irrigation projects, the operation of Anganwadi and Balwadi centers, the rural bus scheme, and various employment and livelihood programs.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed all concerned departments to promptly send the necessary proposals for special central assistance to the Chief Secretary’s office so that the overall, balanced, and sustainable development of Bastar can gain new momentum. CM added.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Pingua, Additional Chief Secretary Richa Sharma, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mukesh Bansal, Secretary to the Chief Minister P. Dayanand, Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Basavaraju S., all departmental secretaries, and senior officials.