CM Vishnu Deo Sai dedicates 137 development projects worth Rs. 205 crore to Sukma district
CM Vishnu Deo Sai dedicated a slew of development projects to Sukma district in a program organised at Mini Stadium in Sukma on January 13. Addressing the program, Shri Sai stated that Naxalism is like cancer, and to eliminate it, one must strike at its roots. He stated that Naxalites had latched onto certain areas of Bastar like leeches, terrorising and exploiting local residents. These locations served as their safest places. He shared that security forces had made the decisive move to enter Naxalite hideouts and confront them. Through the indomitable courage of security personnel, they successfully confronted and defeated these Naxalites. Over the past year, security forces have eliminated more than 230 Naxalites in various encounters.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai paid respects to the sacred land blessed by Lord Ram’s footsteps. He acknowledged how naxal violence had engulfed both the Bastar division and Sukma district in flames of violence, severely hampering Sukma’s development. He highlighted that within the past year, his government had taken and swiftly implemented several crucial decisions for Sukma’s development. He dedicated 137 development projects worth Rs 205 crore, including the inauguration of 82 projects worth Rs 39 crore and bhumipoojan of 55 projects worth Rs 166 crore. Among these, the most significant project is the Rs 83 crore water supply scheme in Sukma municipality. Additionally, he shared that his government carries out the bhumipoojan for the construction of the Kerlapal to Pongabhejji road worth Rs. 14 crore. He also mentioned the planned construction of a sports complex worth Rs 11 crore to improve sports infrastructure in Sukma.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai explained that under a well-planned strategy, they expanded camps in Naxal-affected areas and extended the security network. He stated that Naxalites have now been confined to very limited areas and are acting out of desperation, resulting in cowardly acts. Referring to the recent IED blast targeting security forces, he pointed out that the martyred jawans were sons of Bastar’s soil. The Chief Minister concluded by taking a renewed pledge on Sukma’s soil to eradicate Naxalism from its roots and avenge the martyrdom of their fallen soldiers.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that while providing security through camps, they are also working on development initiatives. He highlighted the launch of the Niyad Nella Nar Yojana for villages within a five-kilometre radius of security camps, which aims to provide all basic amenities to these rural areas. He pointed out the irony that while Naxalites used the best weapons and modern communication equipment for themselves, they had terrorised rural areas to such an extent that local residents remained deprived of even basic amenities like television.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai illustrated this point by mentioning that even the village of a naxal commander, Puvarti, was deprived of development for several years. The residents had never seen electricity or television. Now, he reported, Puvarti village is illuminated with solar lights, and after 78 years of independence, people watched television for the first time, which seemed miraculous to them. Similarly, Salatong village received electricity after 78 years, accelerating development in the area. He emphasised that children can now study and join the mainstream of development. To improve mobility, the government has introduced the ‘Hakkum Mail’ bus service, making it easier for people to access health centres. Through this scheme, people received Aadhaar cards, Ayushman cards, and Kisan Credit Cards for the first time.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai shared details of various welfare schemes and stated that under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, the state government is providing Rs 1,000 monthly to 52,220 women in Sukma district. He mentioned that his government has released instalments of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for over 6,000 beneficiaries and increased the tendupatta collection rate from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,500, having already paid Rs 77 crore to more than 63,000 beneficiaries. He shared that 1,65,000 people from the Bastar division, including many from the Sukma district, participated in the Bastar Olympics. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi praised them in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program. The Chief Minister concluded by asserting a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. He released a coffee table book titled “Mava Sukma—Badalta Sukma”.
CM Vishnu Deo Sai blessed two couples at a ceremony in Sukma, where two former Naxalites who had surrendered under the Naxal Punarvas Yojana were married under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana. He offered his blessings for their happy married life and wished them a bright future.
In the Chief Minister’s presence, two significant MOUs were signed. The first was between the district administration and ITC First Institution for skill development at the Livelihood College, while the second was signed by the Zila Panchayat with MRF Waste Management of Bastar district for waste management. Additionally, products from Sukma’s women’s self-help groups were branded under the name “Akanksha.”
During his Sukma visit, Rahul Padami, a divyang student under Samagra Shiksha Akar institute, presented a painting to the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister presented certificates of appreciation to divyang individuals Raghunath Nag and Sodi Bide. He also honoured Silky Netam and Gulshan Mudiyami, who were selected for MBBS studies through NEET coaching, and Payal Kawasi from Sukma, who won first place in the javelin throw at the Bastar Olympics divisional competition. Under the Naxal Rehabilitation Policy, he presented appointment letters to Panda Sunita and Smt Podiyam Sunny, dependents of Naxal-affected families.
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, addressing the program, emphasised that the state government is working to ensure benefits reach every person in the society. Bastar MP Shri Mahesh Kashyap also addressed the gathering.
State Women’s Commission member Sushri Deepika Sori, public representative Shri Dhaniram Barse, Bastar Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, and Bastar Inspector General of Police Shri Sundarraj P, along with other public representatives and a large number of citizens, were present