Madhya Pradesh Announces Rs 225 Crore Development Package For 100 Balaghat Villages

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced a Rs 225-crore development package for 100 villages in Balaghat district that were once affected by Naxalism. The initiative will focus on improving basic infrastructure while creating employment and self-employment opportunities for local communities. Yadav made the announcement during a visit to remote Bondari village, where he interacted with residents, including members of the Baiga tribal community.

Yadav also visited Korka, marking what the state government described as the first visit by a chief minister to the two former Naxal-affected villages for direct interaction with residents. During his meetings, villagers raised issues related to animal husbandry, housing, nutrition, healthcare, education, employment and cooperation from the Forest Department. Yadav directed officials to address their concerns and ensure that government schemes and essential services reach residents effectively.

The development package will cover roads, electricity, drinking water, housing, healthcare and education, alongside measures aimed at improving rural livelihoods. Agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and food processing will be promoted to increase incomes. Yadav said the government's approach would go beyond physical infrastructure by connecting villages with markets and creating sustainable economic opportunities for residents.

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Several departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Energy, Education, Industries, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Health, Tribal Affairs and Tourism, will jointly undertake development works under the initiative. The government also plans to promote MSMEs, village industries and other local enterprises to create employment and self-employment opportunities for young people. Skill development, training and entrepreneurship programmes will be expanded, while women and self-help groups will be encouraged to participate in economic activities.

Yadav placed special emphasis on the Baiga community and proposed linking its traditional knowledge, art, culture and local products with livelihoods and markets. He also pointed to Balaghat's natural resources and tribal heritage as potential drivers of tourism, eco-tourism and tribal tourism. The Chief Minister said the objective was to bring the Baiga community into the development process with dignity, rights and greater economic opportunities.

Yadav described a Naxal-free Balaghat as an achievement and said the next challenge was to turn the district into a prosperous and self-reliant region. The government intends to strengthen social infrastructure and expand economic activity across villages that were previously affected by Naxalism. Before the programme, women beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme from Balaghat tied rakhis to Yadav and offered him sweets.

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