CM Bhupesh Baghel demands 30 per cent discount on iron ore to steel plants in Bastar
Mobile towers to be set up to increase telecom facilities in Naxal-affected areas
HM assures Chhattisgarh of all possible help to fight Naxals
Raipur, November 17, 2020. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Mr. Bhupesh Baghel today met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to generate more employment opportunities in the Bastar region to uproot Naxal problems.
During the meeting in New Delhi, Mr. Bhupesh Baghel discussed various issues with the Union Minister such as increasing telecom facilities in Naxal affected regions, deployment of two more CRPF battalions in Bastar etc. The Home Minister assured immediate action on the same.
Chief Minister further said that iron ore is available in abundance in Bastar region and if iron ore is made available at 30 per cent discount to steel plants to be set up in Bastar, then investment of hundreds of crores and thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities will be created. He said that grid power has not yet been reached in large part due to difficult geographical areas.
With the establishment of large number of solar power plants, it is possible to meet the energy needs of the people and their economic development, he said.
Chief Minister requested for grant to make cold chains for arranging the processing and sale of minor forest produce, forest medicines and several types of horticultural crops in the forest areas.
Mr. Bhupesh Baghel demanded a sum of at least Rs 50 crore each year to be allotted to collectors for development of livelihoods in all the seven aspiring districts of Bastar region of the state.
Chief Minister insisted him not to privatize NMDC for the sake of development of Bastar, to which the Home Minister has assured that he will consider the request. Mr Baghel also discussed issues related to livelihood development, development of banks, roads and infrastructure in Naxal areas. A meeting of officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and officials of Chhattisgarh in Raipur has also been scheduled soon to discuss various issues.
During the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured to give due consideration to the suggestions and requests and assured to fulfill the demands. Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Subrat Sahu and Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Siddhartha Komal Singh Pardeshi were also present.
