C’garh: Naxalism Ends Only When Maoist Ideology Is Eliminated: Sai
“Naxalism has ended. Now it is time to deal with the ‘Naxali dimag (mindset)’ strongly”: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday said that Naxalism will completely be eradicated only when Maoist ideology is eliminated.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of presiding over the state level Independence Day function here, Mr. Sai said that Naxalism cannot be rooted out completely in the country as long as the Maoist ideology is not dealt with strongly.
“Naxalism has ended. Now it is time to deal with the ‘Naxali dimag (mindset)’ strongly”, Mr. Sai said while quoting a line from the Independence Day address made by prime minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of Red Fort on Saturday.
Earlier addressing the state-level Independence Day function here, he highlighted the transformation of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, saying that ‘In Maoism-free Bastar, people are now celebrating independence through Tiranga Yatras. Areas affected by violence and fear are now witnessing a new dawn of peace, trust and development’.
He said that the comprehensive development of Bastar remains among the top priorities of the double-engine government.
“The hosting of the 26th meeting of the National-level Central Zonal Council in Jagdalpur (headquarters of Bastar) is a symbol of Bastar’s changing identity”, he said.
He underlined various schemes being undertaken by his government for the development of infrastructure in Bastar such as roads, schools and hospitals, and said that the ‘Niyad Nellanar 2.0’ scheme has ensured 100 percent saturation of 31 schemes and 14 community facilities.
He informed that all those schools which were closed during the Maoist days in Bastar have now reopened.
This apart, 36 new schools are proposed to be established in Bastar.
The government is also strengthening the foundations of the health and hygiene, roads, electricity, transport and communication in Bastar.
Mr. Sai said that Chhattisgarh is being developed into an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub and informed that his government has approved the Rs 500 crore- Chhattisgarh State AI Mission.
Under the mission, 100 AI data labs, five Centres of Excellence and more than 50 AI-based services will be developed.
As part of the initiative, six lakh students and 1.5 lakh government employees will be trained in the AI.
Under the Chhattisgarh Start UP promotion policy, a Rs 100-crore startup fund has been established.
He said that Chhattisgarh is fast emerging as an investment destination and added that the state has so far attracted investments to the tune of Rs 8.23 lakh crore, with the potential to create approximately 1.74 lakh employment opportunities.
