C’garh: Sai Calls On PM, Presents Growth Blueprint For Post-Maoist Bastar
Presenting a comprehensive roadmap for a rapidly changing Chhattisgarh, with a special focus on Bastar, Mr. Sai sought the Centre’s support for three major projects of the state, an official spokesman of the Chhattisgarh government said.
Raipur: Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday called on prime minister Narendra Modi at the Parliament House in New Delhi and held extensive discussions on Chhattisgarh’s overall development, the transformation of Bastar, once a Naxal stronghold, and the state’s key infrastructure and industrial initiatives.
Presenting a comprehensive roadmap for a rapidly changing Chhattisgarh, with a special focus on Bastar, Mr. Sai sought the Centre’s support for three major projects of the state, an official spokesman of the Chhattisgarh government said.
He said that Bastar is witnessing unprecedented transformation through an integrated strategy of security, trust and development.
Once affected by the Leftwing Extremism, and consequent developmental challenges, the tribal-dominated region of Bastar is now making rapid progress in education, healthcare, roads, railways, electricity, air connectivity, livelihoods, sports and tourism, the chief minister said.
He reiterated his government’s commitment to integrate Bastar fully into the mainstream of development.
Presenting the ‘Bastar Vision’ of his government, he informed the PM that government schemes and public services are being implemented across 5,542 villages through the schemes of ‘Niyad Nella Nar 2.0’ and ‘Bastar Muhim’, benefitting nearly 39 lakh people.
Highlighting revival of education in Bastar, the chief minister said that 421 schools that had remained closed for years in Maoist-affected areas have been reopened.
He informed the PM that the state government is working to develop ‘Education Cities’ at Orchha in Abujhmad area of Narayanpur district under south Bastar and Jagargunda in south Bastar on the lines of the ‘Education City’ in Dantewada in Bastar, to provide quality education, residential facilities and enhanced opportunities for competitive examinations from remote tribal areas.
He highlighted the measures undertaken by his government to improve the healthcare system in remote areas in Bastar by establishing a medical college and expanding super specialty facilities.
He urged the PM to expedite approval for the proposed Rs 10,500 crore gas-based urea project at Rajnandgaon, special assistance to connect 461 villages to the permanent power grid and set up All India Institute of Ayurveda in the state.
