Raipur: Earth of Bastar Possibilities: All will write together in the development of Bastar: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai
Farmers, women groups, young entrepreneurs and tribal communities will make Bastar self -reliant and prosperous
Work starts on new strategy for agriculture, skill development, tourism and development of industry
Raipur
In the special presence of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, a comprehensive action plan was presented for the overall development of Bastar in the “Developed Bastar” discussion held in Jagdalpur today. In this important meeting, intensive and meaningful discussion was held on highlighting the possibilities of Bastar in areas like agriculture, skill development, tourism and industry and setting a new direction of development. In consultation with the officials of the concerned departments, local public representatives and stakeholders, the Chief Minister reiterated the resolve to take Bastar from the darkness of Naxalism and take it to the light of development. It is noteworthy here that Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has gone to Jagdalpur on a two -day stay. On the first day of his stay, he joined the discussion towards Bastar developed.
The Chief Minister said that Bastar has suffered the brunt of Naxalism for decades, but now the region is on a new path of development with its rich tribal culture, natural beauty, agricultural development, skill upgradation, industry and mineral resources. He insisted that the resolution of “developed Chhattisgarh @2047” will be realized through “Nawa Anjor” vision, and it is starting from Bastar. Farmers, women groups, youth entrepreneurs, and tribal communities of Bastar are ready to write a new chapter of Chhattisgarh’s progress.
In the first session of the discussion, there was a discussion on agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, animal husbandry, and organic farming to double the income of the farmers of Bastar. The Chief Minister said that processing, branding, and marketing will be promoted to bring indigenous and organic products of Bastar to the markets of the country and abroad. For this, emphasis was laid on installation of processing units locally and ensuring quality of products. He said, “Bastar products will not only be the identity of Chhattisgarh, but will also make their place globally.
In Bastar division, kharif crops are cultivated in about 9 lakh hectares and rabi crops in quarter to three lakh hectares. The main crop of Kharif is paddy and maize. In Bastar division, maize is cultivated in 1.85 hectares, which has been targeted to be increased to 3 lakh hectares in the upper three years. Emphasis was laid on market linkage with maize producing farmers with biofuels, bioframasuticals, starch and poultry feed industries, so that farmers can get maximum benefit of their produce.
Similarly, in the next three years, emphasis has been laid on increasing the cultivation of millets from 52 thousand hectares to 75 thousand hectares and installation of processing unit at the local level and the inclusion of millets in the food grains of schools, Anganwadis and hostels. An action plan will be prepared for the installation of 27 thousand 600 solar pumps in three years and solar lift irrigation pumps on the banks of river-drains in three years for encouraging organic farming in Bastar and participation of private companies. To promote agricultural mechanization, a target was set to set up 30 to 40 new custom hiring centers per year. Currently 1010 Krishi Yantra Kendra is operated in Bastar. Cashew in Bastar, Ethics in Kondagaon, Masala and Coconut Oil, Sitaphal Palp in Kanker, Honey and Turmeric Powder in Dantewada, Sukma, Narayanpur and Bijapur were discussed about the establishment of Masala processing.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said to pay special attention to skill development to make the youth of Bastar self -reliant. During the discussion, it was informed that 90 thousand youths have been trained and 40 thousand youths have been employed so far under Mukhyamantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Yojana, and Nayed Nella Nail schemes. Apart from this, there are plans to set up 32 new skill development centers in Bastar and residential training centers in seven districts. Through these centers, local youth will be connected to employment by training them as per the demand of markets and industries. Naxal -affected families, surrendered Naxalites and women will be given special priority in these schemes. The contract has been signed with Mahindra & Mahindra, Nandi, NSDC and NITI Aayog for skill training. Under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, 6123 people have been trained in various trade in seven districts of Bastar division.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that there is immense potential for tourism in Bastar region. The Chief Minister stressed Bastar Dussehra, which lasts for 75 days, and especially on promoting internationally across the country. The Chief Minister also directed to outline the schemes for the programs to be organized between the upcoming tourism season. The Chief Minister also said that it is necessary to make the private sector a partner in tourism. He should also arrange guide training to develop tourism circuits, so that local youth get employment.
Chief Minister Sai said that this region, famous for attractions such as Chitrakote and Tirathgarh Falls, Kanger Valley National Parks and ancient caves, provides amazing landscape and rich biodiversity. Chief Minister Sai said that preparations were now given to promote Bastar Dussehra internationally.
It was informed at the meeting that tourists can visit lively tribal villages and experience traditional festivals like Bastar Dussehra and enjoy local crafts and cuisine. Google mapping services will be improved with the help of private agencies to improve the visibility and accuracy of tourist destinations.
It was informed in the meeting that the new Chhattisgarh Tourism Policy 2025, will be published soon. The existing tourist properties will be planned to be leased to private hotel businessmen under public-private partnership model. About 6 crore rupees have been proposed from the cyclical fund for the construction of a glass bridge near Tirathgarh Falls. About 40 lakh rupees have been proposed in the state plan item of the financial year 2025-26 for the implementation of the Homestay cum Traditional Healing Center in village Pedawad.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai said that the government is doing the work of promoting industrial development in Bastar. Many special provisions have been made in the new industrial policy. Our priority is to create employment and self -employment opportunities for the people of Bastar division. We can increase the income of local people by using forest resources as much as possible. From here, various types of minerals and food grains are exported to about Rs 102 crore per year, of which iron ore is the highest.
The Chief Minister said that the new industrial policy 2024-30 is provided with royalty reimbursement for 15 years for the steel industry. There is a provision of 40 percent subsidy of their salary for five years to industries and institutions for providing employment to the surrendered Naxalites. Provision of 10 percent additional subsidy for Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Naxalism affected people and up to 25 percent subsidy for new MSMEs established by Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Naxalism affected persons has been provided.
The Chief Minister insisted that by March 2026, the pace of development in Bastar will be intensified with the goal of making the country Naxal -free. The new Naxalite surrender victim, relief-confidence policy 2025 has made several special provisions, so that Naxal-affected families and surrendered Naxalites can be brought into the mainstream through incentive amount, compensation, education, skill development and self-employment. The Chief Minister said that a concrete action plan for the development of Bastar has been prepared from today’s discussion. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this action plan will give new pace not only to Bastar, but also the development of the entire Chhattisgarh. He called upon all stakeholders to work together in this direction.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, MP Mahesh Kashyap, MLA Kiran Singh Dev, Vinayak Goyal, Principal Secretary of Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of the concerned departments, colleges of all districts of Bastar division, were present in the discussion of Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, MP Mahesh Kashyap, MLA to Chief Minister, Collector, Agriculture, Industry, Tourism and Skill Development.
