Balaghat, Aug 29 (IANS) Signalling a shift from security operations to development in areas once affected by Naxalism, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced a Rs 225‑crore package for the comprehensive development of 100 villages in Balaghat district, with a special focus on jobs, livelihoods and basic amenities.
Yadav announced this during his visit to remote Bondari village, where he sat with residents, particularly members of the Baiga tribal community, and heard their concerns. He also visited Korka, marking what the government described as the first visit by a chief minister to the two former Naxal‑affected villages to interact with residents directly.
The package will cover infrastructure as well as employment and self‑employment initiatives. Roads, electricity, drinking water, housing, healthcare and education will be strengthened, while agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and food processing will be promoted to increase rural incomes.
“The government is firmly committed to the principle of development with security and employment with development,” Yadav said, stressing that development would now be taken to the last person in areas freed from Naxal influence. He directed officials to resolve villagers’ issues and ensure that government schemes and essential services reached them effectively.
Discussions during the interaction included animal husbandry, housing, nutritious food awareness, healthcare, education, employment and cooperation from the Forest Department. Yadav said the government’s approach would go beyond building physical infrastructure and focus on creating sustainable economic opportunities in the region.
“Our goal is not merely to build roads, but to connect roads with markets, villages with employment and youth with opportunities,” he said.
Under the initiative, several departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Energy, Education, Industries, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Health, Tribal Affairs and Tourism, will jointly undertake development works.
The government will promote MSMEs, village industries and other local enterprises to generate employment and self‑employment for young people. Skill development, training and entrepreneurship programmes will also be expanded, while women and self‑help groups will be encouraged to participate in economic activities.
Yadav gave special emphasis to the Baiga community, saying its traditional knowledge, art, culture and local products would be linked with livelihoods and markets. “The objective is to bring the Baiga community into the mainstream of development with dignity, respect, rights and opportunities,” he said.
He said Balaghat, with its natural wealth and tribal heritage, also had considerable potential for tourism, eco‑tourism and tribal tourism.
The Chief Minister said a Naxal‑free Balaghat was an achievement. Still, the next challenge was to transform it into a prosperous and self‑reliant district by expanding social infrastructure and economic activity across its villages.
Before the programme, women beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna scheme from Balaghat tied rakhis to Yadav and offered him sweets.
–IANS
pd/dan