Naxalism taking its last breath in Chhattisgarh: Governor Deka

Raipur, Feb 24 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka on Monday said Naxalism is taking its last breath in the state, with the government taking effective steps to eliminate the menace.

In his address on the first day of Chhattisgarh assembly's budget session, the governor said the state has now got a "triple engine" government (BJP at the Centre, in state and local bodies) which will add momentum to the pace of development in the state.

"Chhattisgarh is the fastest growing state in the country. My government is working to take the state to new heights of development. The state's gross domestic product is growing rapidly due to the economic policies of the government," Deka said.

He said Chhattisgarh is the first state in the country where a lithium block was allotted through e-auction.

In the new industrial policy, a provision of special grants has been made to retired Agniveers, surrendered Naxalites and Naxal violence-affected people for starting their enterprises, he said.

The Chhattisgarh government has been doing effective work towards eliminating Naxalism from the state, the governor said.

"Under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a target has been set to make the country free from the violence by March 31, 2026. An effective strategy has been prepared to achieve the target and continuous action is being taken in accordance with this," he said.

"Naxalism has been taking its last breath in Chhattisgarh. Due to the efficient strategy of my government, the courage of soldiers and the determination of the common people, continuous action is being taken for area domination," Deka said.

More than 300 Naxalites have been killed, 972 have surrendered and 1,183 arrested in the last 14 months, the governor said.

As part of the rehabilitation policy, 15,000 houses have been sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna to surrendered Naxalites and Naxal-affected families, he said.

In this new environment of security, the light of development has been spreading rapidly in Bastar region (comprising seven districts - Kanker, Kondagaon, Bastar, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Sukma and Bijapur), Deka said.

Flag-hoisting took place for the first time in 26 Naxalite-affected villages and voting held for the first time in the three-tier panchayat elections in villages like Pentachimali, Keralapenda, Duled, Sunnam Guda and Puvarti in Sukma, he noted.

After 19 years, a health centre has been re-opened at Potali village in Dantewada district, the governor said.

Under the Niyad Nellanar (which means 'Aapka Achha Gaon'--your good village), the state government has been providing benefits of 52 schemes of 17 departments and 31 community facilities in villages falling within 5 km radius of security camps, he said.

Bastar has been celebrating the return to peace, the governor said.

The state government organised the 'Bastar Olympics' to instill enthusiasm in the people and to develop sporting talent. Around 1.65 lakh people participated in the event, including those belonging to families affected by Maoist violence, those became disabled due to Maoist violence and surrendered Maoists, he said.

After the Bastar Olympics, the state government will organise Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon in Narayanpur district, Deka said.

Referring to the recent urban body polls where the BJP secured a landslide win, he said, "A new government has been elected in the urban bodies. Now the state has got a triple engine government. Better coordination between the Centre, state and local bodies will definitely lead to better results. Naturally, this will add momentum to the pace of development of the state." Deka also said the state government has transferred about Rs 1 lakh crore to the accounts of farmers under various schemes in the last 14 months.

"Paddy procurement has touched a record figure this year due to the encouraging policies of my government. A total of 149.25 lakh metric tonnes of paddy was procured from 25.49 lakh farmers (in kharif season 2024-25)," he said.

The state government has been making a world-class IT sector by developing Raipur-Bhilai and surrounding areas as the State Capital Region. It has also been working towards setting up a Livelihood Centre of Excellence in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar and Centre of Entrepreneurship in Durg district, he said.

Besides, incubation centres are being set up to encourage startups. IT parks are being established to attract BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) companies. A 'plug and play' model is being developed for IT-based employment generation in Nava Raipur, Deka said.

A data centre is being built on 14 acres and a pharmaceutical hub in Atal Nagar Nava Raipur, he pointed out.

Senior Congress leader and former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel tried to interrupt, but the governor continued with his address. PTI TKP GK

Source: PTI