Chhattisgarh will be recognised among the leading states of the country: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai*
*After freedom from Naxalism, a new chapter of development and prosperity is now opening in Bastar: Chief Minister*
*The government is moving ahead with the resolve to make Bastar the most developed tribal region of the country*
*Security camps are now becoming 'Seva Dera', education, health, employment and basic amenities are reaching the last mile*
*A strong foundation for future Chhattisgarh is being laid with the use of good governance, digital governance and AI*
*Chief Minister Sai participated in the 'Naxal-free, development-oriented Chhattisgarh @ 2047' programme*

Raipur. Moving ahead from the challenge of Naxalism, Chhattisgarh has now entered a new era of development, good governance, investment and innovation. In the journey towards developed India@2047, Chhattisgarh will establish its identity among the leading states of the country. The government is working in a planned manner to convert the state's natural wealth, youth power and immense potential for development into public welfare and economic prosperity. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said this while expressing his views in the 'L.T. Exchange' program 'Naxal-free, developed Chhattisgarh@2047' organized by news channel Live Times at a private hotel on VIP Road in the capital Raipur today.

Chief Minister Sai discussed in detail various topics ranging from the decisive campaign against Naxalism to the development of Bastar, farmer welfare, women empowerment, housing, investment, good governance, digital governance and artificial intelligence.

Chief Minister Sai said that Chhattisgarh was once discussed throughout the country and the world primarily for the problem of Naxalism, but today this picture has rapidly changed. Decisive success against Naxalism, along with new development possibilities, has brought about a positive shift in perceptions of Chhattisgarh. Chhattisgarh's achievement of the top spot in the country in the field of water conservation is a significant achievement of this changing Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Sai said that he has witnessed and heard about the Naxalite problem since the beginning of his political career. His home district, Surguja, was also once affected by Naxalism, and numerous incidents of Naxalite violence occurred there. During
the tenure of former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, success was achieved in freeing Surguja from Naxalism.

The Chief Minister said that after the formation of the state government in 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an important meeting on Naxalism in January 2024. At that time, approximately 75 percent of the remaining Naxalism in the country was concentrated in Chhattisgarh, while the remaining approximately one-quarter was concentrated in five to six other states.

He said that after the formation of the double-engine government at the center and state, a decisive campaign against Naxalism was launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, with a new strategy and better coordination. Joint security efforts were strengthened, and our security forces displayed indomitable courage and bravery. The Chief Minister said that the success achieved today is due to the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our soldiers, which Chhattisgarh will always remember.

Along with the fight against Naxalism, development was also made an integral part of the strategy.
Chief Minister Sai said that the government's strategy was clear from the beginning that Naxalism would be resolved not only through security operations, but also through development and public trust. The people of Bastar were deprived of development for nearly four decades due to Naxalism. Naxalites did not want education, health, roads, electricity, water and governance schemes to reach the interior areas.

With this vision in mind, the government launched the "Niyad Nellanar" scheme. With the establishment of the security camps, various government schemes and services, including roads, rations, health care, and education, were rapidly delivered to the surrounding villages. For the first time, ration cards were issued to many people in remote areas. The Chief Minister noted that previously, many villagers would spend up to five days traveling to and from their homes to receive rations. Now, the government is reaching their doorsteps.

Chief Minister Sai stated that the government's goal is to establish Bastar as one of the most developed tribal regions in the country
. Communication and connectivity facilities are being rapidly expanded in Bastar. Schools closed due to Naxalite violence have reopened, rekindling the spirit of education in remote areas.