Raipur
The Chhattisgarh government is committed to ending Naxalism, winning the trust of the people, and putting the state on the path of development, Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai said on Thursday. Speaking during an interview with a television channel, the Chief Minister said the government is working to improve the lives of people through the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme.
Sai said many villages in Naxal-affected areas have been resettled, and surrendered Naxals are being provided employment. He said the state government has set a target of ending Naxalism by March 31, 2026, and a joint task force was formed after the new government took charge to achieve this goal.
According to the Chief Minister, various government welfare schemes have benefited the people of Bastar. Tendu patta is being procured through cooperative societies in the forest areas. He said events like the Bastar Olympics and Bastar Pandum were organised to wean people away from Naxal ideology and connect them with the mainstream of development. The Bastar Olympics saw the participation of 1.65 lakh people, which showed that the people of Bastar want to move towards development, he added.
Talking about his recent Japan visit, Sai said the tour was a success. He said the state got an opportunity to showcase its art, culture, and potential through the Chhattisgarh Pavilion from August 24 to 31. The Chief Minister added that investors were invited to set up industries in the state and were apprised of the new industrial policy, which gives special priority to job creation.
He said Chhattisgarh has immense potential for industries as it is rich in natural resources. There are also vast opportunities in the fields of Ayurveda and herbal products, as around 44 per cent of the state is covered in forests. He added that there has been a significant improvement in health services even in remote forest areas. The state now has 15 medical colleges, along with institutions like IIT, NIT, IIM, and a National Law University.
The Chief Minister has appealed to the people not to abandon cows on the streets, as stray cattle cause road accidents. He said it is the duty of all citizens to protect cattle. The state government is taking strict action to remove illegal encroachments on grazing lands, he added.
Sai said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve to make India a developed nation by 2047 will be fulfilled with the participation of everyone. He said the ‘Anjor Vision-2047’ document has been prepared to ensure the all-round development of the state. He appealed to everyone to work together to create a developed Chhattisgarh.
