Bastar will witness record development in 5 yrs, says Shah at Bastar Olympics

The Home Minister said the seven-district Bastar division — comprising Kanker, Kondagaon, Bastar, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur and Dantewada — would be transformed into the most developed tribal region in India by December 2030.

He highlighted the government’s resolve to ensure housing, electricity, toilets, piped drinking water, LPG connections, five kg of free foodgrains and free medical treatment up to Rs 5 lakh for every resident of Bastar. He added that cooperative-based units would be set up to process forest produce, while dairying would be promoted to make all seven Bastar districts among the highest milk-producing tribal regions. New industries, higher education institutions, a world-class sports complex and state-of-the-art hospitals would also be established, he said, adding that a special scheme would be launched to address malnutrition.

Describing Naxalism as a “cobra spreading its hood over the development of the region”, Shah said its complete elimination would mark the beginning of a new era of growth and prosperity in Bastar. He also announced that an attractive rehabilitation policy would be brought in for surrendered Naxalites and those injured due to Naxal violence.

Talking about the Bastar Olympics-2025, Shah said seven teams from the seven districts had participated, along with a special team comprising surrendered Naxalites. He said more than 700 former Naxalites had taken part in the games, choosing sports and the mainstream over violence. Appealing to those still involved in armed insurgency, Shah urged them to lay down arms, avail rehabilitation policy and join the development journey of Bastar.

He said participation in the Bastar Olympics had risen from 1.65 lakh players last year to 3.91 lakh this year, with women’s participation increasing nearly threefold. Officials from the Sports Authority of India have been deployed to scout talent, he said, adding that players from Bastar would be groomed to compete at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. Chhattisgarh, he said, has also been selected to host the Khelo India Tribal Games.

Stating that Bastar was shedding its past image of fear, Shah said school bells had replaced gunfire and highways and railway lines were now becoming a reality where roads were once a dream. He said the government’s objective was not to eliminate Naxalites in encounters but to bring misguided youth back into the mainstream, noting that over 2,000 Naxalites had already surrendered with the support of tribal leaders and social workers.