Chief Minister Raman Singh on Thursday said that Sukma district in Bastar was long considered as 'headquarters of Maoist movement' in the country.
The State Government efforts of development in the most backward regions had pushed the left-Wing Extremists on the back foot. Development had reached the door-steps of the poor and needy, he said.
The doors of bright future of the depressed sections of the society had swung open with the opening of 'Education Hub' in Dantewada and Sukma districts, the Chief Minister said.
He was addressing a conference organised by a prominent national business daily in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister added that when India will be celebrating 75 years of Freedom in the year 2022, Chhattisgarh will join the select league of three most developed States in the country.
He revealed that State Government had been working with innovative ideas in new sectors to improve the living conditions of all sections of the society.
The Chief Minister said that Chhattisgarh is the first and only state which pays Rs 11,000 crore to farmers on purchase of paddy. The amount is paid directly into the bank accounts.
Singh said there is no politics involved in providing subsidized rice and grams and free salt to the economically deprived sections of the society. The aim is to make State free of malnutrition, reduce infant and maternal mortality rates.The State had achieved spectacular results in this direction.
In the year 2003, rate of malnutrition was 70 per cent and now it is 30 per cent. The target is to reduce it to 15 per cent in the coming five years. Smart Cards are being issued to all the citizens to provide subsidised medicare to the patients. Chhattisgarh is the top state in electricity generation and consumption. The per unit consumption of electricity had increased from 600 units to 1,760 units, he said.
The Chief Minister said that according to a RBI report, Chhattisgarh is the best State in fiscal management. The State is racing ahead on the path of progress with innovative ideas.
Referring to the industrial development, Singh said that State had been encouraging setting up of industries.
He added that State Government had provided subsidies to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore when the sponge iron and steel industry was going through deep crisis. The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is setting-up a mega steel plant at Nagarnar in Bastar.
The Chief Minister while appreciating the policy decisions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the step to allocate 33 per cent funds to the minerals generating States had increased the revenues of the concerned States.
District Mineral Fund (DMF) had been constituted. Development works to the tune of Rs 3,600 crore had been initiated with DMF funds. This is in addition to the regular budget. The State Government had changed the policies in health and education fields for the purpose. Chief Minister Fellowship Project had been launched. Mathematics, Science and other teachers had been appointed in far-flung tribal dominated regions. There are 26 doctors giving their services at Bijapur District hospital, Singh said.
He said that Naya Raipur is being developed as first ultra-modern city of the 21st century in the entire country. There are immense opportunities for investments in Information Technology sector. Commercial complex is in the offing. livelihood Colleges had been established for the up-gradation of skills in all the 27 districts of the State.