Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, addressing the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Police Parade Ground in Raipur, vowed to make the state Maoist-free by March 31, 2026, aligning with the vision of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He credited aggressive anti-Maoist operations and a robust surrender policy for significant progress, with 450 Maoists neutralized, 1,578 arrested, and 1,589 surrendered over the past 20 months, including top leaders like Basavaraju and Sudhakar Reddy. “Our forces have entered Maoist hideouts, overpowering them,” Sai said, saluting security personnel for their courage.
Sai highlighted parallel development strides in former Maoist strongholds, particularly Bastar, where 50 closed schools have reopened, electricity has reached remote villages, and a bank branch now operates in Pamed. The ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ scheme has brought basic amenities to 327 villages, transforming areas like Tadmetla—site of the 2010 Maoist attack that killed 76 jawans—where the Chintagufa Health Centre now conducts 20 deliveries monthly and serves thousands. “Good governance means benefits reach the last person,” Sai emphasized, noting the centre’s national quality certification.
The CM praised India’s military legacy, from repelling Pakistan’s 1947 attack to the recent Operation Sindoor, which showcased India’s global valor. He also lauded India’s economic rise to the fourth-largest economy under PM Modi, citing milestones like Chandrayaan-3’s lunar landing and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s tricolour at the International Space Station. Operation Sindoor, a 100-day campaign targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, was hailed as a symbol of India’s strength, echoing Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath’s sentiments.
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Sai outlined ambitious development plans, including transforming Nava Raipur Atal Nagar into central India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ with a National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology and a Livelihood Centre of Excellence. Skill development centres in all 32 Bastar blocks aim to support 150 startups and 50,000 students. Investment proposals worth ₹6.65 lakh crore, secured through summits in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Raipur, signal robust economic growth. The ₹50,000-crore Bodhghat project will generate 200 MW of power and irrigate 7 lakh hectares, while new rail lines and expressways enhance connectivity.
Embracing PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ campaign, Sai urged citizens to promote swadeshi products like khadi and millets, calling it an act of patriotism. The ‘Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision’ roadmap aims for a developed state by 2047, with women’s empowerment a priority—70 lakh women have received ₹11,728 crore under the Mahatari Vandan Yojana. Agricultural support includes ₹3,100 per quintal for paddy and subsidies of ₹10,000-₹11,000 per acre for diversified crops. The state’s record 149 lakh metric tonnes paddy procurement in 2024-25 underscores its farmer-centric policies.
Anti-corruption measures like the e-office system and educational reforms aligning with the National Education Policy, ensuring uniform teacher-student ratios even in remote Sukma, were highlighted. The Chief Minister Rural Bus Service Scheme will empower local operators in Bastar and Surguja, while cultural initiatives like the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Tribal Freedom Fighters Memorial and Bastar tourism promotion revive regional pride. Environmental efforts include a 683 sq km increase in tree cover and 3.5 crore saplings planted under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.
Sai’s vision, backed by PM Modi and Shah’s leadership, combines relentless security operations with inclusive development. The Sushasan Tihar campaign resolved over 40 lakh grievances, and welfare schemes like PMAY housing for surrendered Maoists reflect a holistic approach. As Chhattisgarh marks its 25th anniversary with the Rajat Mahotsav, Sai’s pledge to eradicate Maoism while fostering prosperity positions the state as a model for ‘Viksit Bharat.’
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