Raipur. The Bastar region, emerging from the impact of Naxalism and embarking on a path of renewed confidence and development, reached a significant milestone today when Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai unveiled 228 development projects worth over ₹308 crore for Sukma district. He laid the foundation stone for 159 projects and inaugurated 69, giving the region a new impetus to its overall development.
Addressing a large gathering at the Mini Stadium in Sukma, Chief Minister Sai stated that the state government's top priority is the all-round development of areas that have been left behind due to Naxalism for the past 40 years. He stated that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, peace has been established in Bastar, and a wave of development is now flowing here. Chief Minister Sai said that villages once plagued by violence and fear are now resonating with school bells, and people are reaffirming their faith in democracy and joining the mainstream. He informed that more than 3,000 Maoists have surrendered and are being trained to start a new life through rehabilitation centers. During the program, the Chief Minister personally underwent a health checkup and praised the efforts to ensure access to healthcare services in every household under the "Chief Minister's Healthy
Bastar
Campaign." Under this campaign, 1,100 teams will conduct door-to-door health checkups in seven districts. Prior to the program, Chief Minister Shri Sai inspected various departmental stalls set up at the Mini Stadium and directly interacted with citizens and beneficiaries. He demonstrated the government's sensitivity by distributing aid materials and certificates under various schemes on the spot. At the Health Department stall, the Chief Minister presented certificates to seven TB-free panchayats and learned that 28 panchayats in the district have become TB-free so far. He interacted with three TB patients and distributed food baskets to them.
The Chief Minister personally fitted spectacles to patients who had undergone cataract surgery and wished them a speedy recovery. Medicines and eye drops were also distributed. For improving the quality of health services, the Murtonda, Penta, and Kankerlanka sub-health centers were awarded NQAS certificates. At the Social Welfare Department stall, Chief Minister Shri Sai provided prosthetic legs to five beneficiaries who lost their legs in an IED blast. Additionally, four wheelchairs and three tricycles were distributed, and an initiative was taken to connect six differently-abled individuals with schemes by providing them with identity cards. Interacting with self-help group women at the NRLM stall, the Chief Minister encouraged them to transform from "Lakhpati Didi to Crorepati Didi" and assured them of all possible support from the government.
Housing, Rights, and Livelihoods—Empowerment in Every Sector
The Chief Minister interacted with beneficiaries at the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana stall and inquired about the progress of construction work. Through the Tribal Development Department, 15 forest rights certificates were distributed, ensuring tribal families' rights are protected. At the Forest Department stall, assistance was provided to beneficiaries involved in tendu leaf collection. A symbolic check of ₹4.27 lakh was given to the Tongpal Cooperative Society, and a collection card was distributed to one beneficiary. Additionally, self-employment was promoted by providing two e-rickshaws to women from a rehabilitated self-help group, and an appointment letter was also given to one beneficiary.
Niyyaad Nellanar 2.0 and 8 major announcements:
In his address, the Chief Minister stated that under the Niyyaad Nellanar Scheme, development work has been carried out in over 500 villages so far through 45 schemes from 17 departments. The next phase of the scheme, "Niyaad Nellanar 2.0," will now cover 10 districts. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also made eight important announcements for the development of the area, including road construction, culvert construction, bus stand, community hall, and temple renovation.
Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap, Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Health Secretary Shri Amit Kataria, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Rajat Bansal, along with senior officials, public representatives, and a large number of villagers were present on the occasion.