Raipur (Economy India): Chhattisgarh is set to establish itself among India’s leading states by combining development, good governance, investment, technology and innovation, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said.
Addressing the ‘Naxal-Free, Development-Oriented Chhattisgarh@2047’ programme organised by Live Times in Raipur, the Chief Minister said the state has moved beyond the challenge of Naxalism and is entering a new phase of development, investment and prosperity.
He said the government is working in a planned manner to convert Chhattisgarh’s natural resources, young workforce and development potential into opportunities for public welfare and economic growth.
From Naxalism to Development: A Changing Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister Sai said Chhattisgarh was once frequently discussed nationally and internationally in the context of Naxalism. However, the situation is changing rapidly following the state’s progress in combating Left Wing Extremism and expanding development activities.
He said the state has also achieved a leading position nationally in the field of water conservation, reflecting the broader transformation taking place in Chhattisgarh.
According to the Chief Minister, the success in combating Naxalism was achieved through coordinated efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with the courage and sacrifice of security personnel.
Development Made Part of the Anti-Naxal Strategy
Sai said the government’s strategy was based on the understanding that Naxalism could not be addressed through security operations alone. Development and public trust were equally important.
For nearly four decades, people in several parts of Bastar remained deprived of basic development because of Naxal violence. The government therefore launched the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ initiative to ensure that development reaches villages surrounding security camps.
Roads, ration, healthcare, education and other government services are being extended to remote communities. The Chief Minister said that in several areas, people who earlier had to travel for days to access ration and government services are now receiving services closer to their homes.
Bastar to Be Developed as a Leading Tribal Region
The government has set a target of making Bastar one of India’s most developed tribal regions, the Chief Minister said.
Connectivity and communication infrastructure are being expanded, while schools that had closed because of Naxal violence are being reopened.
Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar’ initiative, healthcare access is being expanded, while the ‘Bastar Munne’ campaign is taking government officials to villages to connect residents with essential services and welfare schemes.
Agriculture, animal husbandry, forest-produce-based businesses and tourism have been identified as key drivers of Bastar’s economic development.
The government is also promoting value addition in forest produce so that local communities can earn more from the resources available in their region.
Security Camps Being Transformed into ‘Seva Dera’
Chief Minister Sai said security camps are increasingly being developed as ‘Seva Dera’, or service centres, through which local residents can access development and welfare facilities.
These centres will also help connect local youth with skill development and employment opportunities.
To promote tourism, the government is developing homestays and providing arrangements for loans and subsidies for local residents interested in participating in the tourism economy.
Education Cities Planned in Orchha and Jagargunda
Building on the education hub developed in Dantewada, the state government has made provisions in this year’s Budget for establishing Education Cities in Orchha and Jagargunda.
A medical college has also been approved at Geedam, which is expected to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the Bastar region.
The Chief Minister said education is also being made more accessible to tribal children by introducing teaching in local languages such as Gondi and Halbi at the primary level.
He stressed that the Bastar development model is being shaped around the needs, culture and aspirations of local communities rather than being imposed from outside.
Niyad Nellanar 2.0 Roadmap Prepared
The government has prepared the roadmap for ‘Niyad Nellanar 2.0’, with plans to expand development activities across Bastar.
Irrigation is another major focus. Projects on the Indravati river at Deurgaon and Matnar are being pursued with the objective of providing irrigation facilities to around 80,000 acres of agricultural land.
18 Lakh PMAY Houses Approved
Sai said the government approved 18 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana during its first Cabinet meeting after assuming office.
More than 11 lakh houses have been constructed over the past two years, while approximately 1,600 houses are being built every day in the state, he said.
The Chief Minister described a permanent house as more than just shelter, calling it a foundation for dignity, security and a better future for poor families.
Mahtari Vandan Scheme Supports Women
The Chief Minister highlighted the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, under which women in the state receive Rs 1,000 per month in financial assistance.
According to Sai, 31 instalments have been disbursed so far.
He said many women are using the financial support for small livelihood activities, including grocery businesses, sewing machines and other income-generating activities.
Farmers Remain a Key Priority
Agriculture remains central to Chhattisgarh’s economy, with around 75 per cent of farmers belonging to the small and marginal categories, Sai said.
The government is purchasing paddy from farmers at Rs 3,100 per quintal, with procurement of up to 21 quintals per acre.
The state is also focusing on irrigation expansion, modern agriculture and strengthening the rural economy to improve farmers’ incomes.
Digital Governance and AI to Transform Administration
The Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh is strengthening transparency and accountability through technology-driven governance.
Chhattisgarh has become the first state to establish a Department of Good Governance and Convergence, he said.
The government has implemented an e-file system and is digitising various administrative processes to make government services more transparent, accessible and efficient.
The state is also preparing an Artificial Intelligence mission aimed at training around six lakh students and 1.5 lakh employees in AI.
The technology is expected to be explored for improving departmental efficiency and delivering more effective citizen services.
Rs 8.25 Lakh Crore Investment Proposals
Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals worth approximately Rs 8.25 lakh crore, Chief Minister Sai said.
The state’s new industrial policy and investor-friendly environment have helped attract interest from domestic and international investors.
Projects related to emerging technologies, including semiconductor manufacturing and data centres, are taking shape in the state.
A Medicity is also being developed across approximately 100 acres in Nava Raipur.
Sai said Chhattisgarh has significant mineral resources, energy availability, land and skilled human resources, which provide a strong foundation for industrial development.
The state has also organised investor-connect programmes in major Indian cities and engaged with investors in Japan and South Korea.
Focus on Jobs, Technology and Economic Growth
The Chief Minister said the objective is not merely to attract investment but to convert investments into employment, modern technology and new economic opportunities for people in the state.
The combination of industrial development, natural resources, infrastructure and technology could strengthen Chhattisgarh’s role in India’s broader economic growth story.
Chhattisgarh’s Role in Viksit Bharat@2047
Sai said Chhattisgarh is moving forward simultaneously on multiple fronts, including Naxalism-free development, Bastar’s transformation, poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, farmer welfare, industrial investment, technology and transparent governance.
He said the state’s goal is to create a prosperous, secure, self-reliant and opportunity-rich Chhattisgarh for future generations.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh will make a strong contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and establish itself among India’s leading states.
(Economy India)
