Raipur Dec 11 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah requesting him to expeditiously approve the pending proposals for development works in Naxal-affected regions of the state.
He also sought Centre’s assistance in generating employment opportunities in the region on large scale and urged the union minister to approve new proposals sent by the state government to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism from Bastar.
Referring to his meeting with the union minister last month, the chief minister said that the action plan to provide employment on a large scale in Naxal-affected areas of the state was discussed in the meeting.
The chief minister wrote that continuing the Special Central Assistance Scheme, installation of 1028 mobile towers under the scheme (1028), approval for the formation of an India Defense Corps (IR Battalion) for deployment of Special Striking Force Black Panther, improving resolution of UAV cameras, increasing resolution of the camera used in NTRO UAV provided by the Government of India for anti-Naxal operations, deployment of Railway Protection Security Force (RPSF) at Kumarasadra (District Bastar) and Kamalur,
District Dantewada to protect railway property and doubling work under the K.K. line etc some of the proposals pending for approval.
Similarly, in the Bastar region of the state, for the construction of the remaining roads of the 1991 kilometer route approved under the LWE scheme in the year 2020, the revised approval is required in the items provided in the administrative approval.
He said that there is a great need of OFC connectivity in Bastar and LWE affected area to increase the number of towers for IT & Telecom Infrastructure and to provide 3G / 4G network facilities. Action is underway to prepare a DPR for the implementation of the Bodh Ghat project. After completion of DPR, the amount required for the implementation of the scheme can be estimated. Approval of other irrigation schemes is also required.
Mr Baghel wrote that Rs 63.47 crore is to be sanctioned for the pending electrification of 214 habitations of Bastar region. Similarly, about Rs 53 crore is proposed to be sanctioned for 5275 cases of pump electrification. Approval of Stage-B proposal for the said roads and completion of 18 new major bridges is pending with the Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development, after completion of 122 roads in 05 Naxal-affected Naxal- affected districts under PMGSY-I.
As of 31 October 2020, 141 new branches / ATMs have been opened in Naxal-affected areas as part of a special campaign. Bank branches have not yet been opened by banks at 09 locations, for which the Government of India initiative is required to give necessary instructions to banks.
The new policy is expected to be jointly considered by the Department of Mineral Resources, NMDC and SIPB to allocate iron and iron ore to NMDC. It is possible to set up steel plants in Bastar zones only on forest land. Instructions are also required from the Central Government for diversion of forest land within the time limit.
In the year 2020-21, for the purchase of 38 minor forest produce approved by the government under the Minimum Support Price Scheme and the remaining amount of Rs. 100 crore for infrastructure development (godown for mart and district union) and under the Minimum Support Price Scheme, the loss reimbursement is proposed to be made in the earlier years.
The Chief Minister, while requesting for approval of the Central Government on all the above proposals for eradication of Left Wing Extremism in Bastar, hoped that the necessary support of the Central Government, will pave the way for improvement in the standard of living of the people of Bastar.
UNI RK JAL 1837