Raipur, Apr 13 (PTI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday dedicated to the people and laid the foundation stone for development projects of more than Rs 308 crore in Sukma district, emphasising the holistic development of areas affected by Naxalism for the past 40 years on priority.
Sai also launched the state-level initiative ‘Atal Aarogya Lab’ at the Sukma District Hospital, marking a significant step toward improving healthcare services, according to a statement issued by the state government.
Chhattisgarh, particularly the Bastar region, which had been affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) for over four decades, was declared free of armed Maoists on March 31. Bastar comprises seven districts, including Sukma.
At a public event held at the Mini Stadium in Sukma district headquarters, Sai inaugurated 69 projects and laid the foundation for 159 others, collectively worth over Rs 308 crore, the release said.
Addressing the gathering, Sai reiterated that the comprehensive development of regions which were affected by the Maoist menace for 40 years is the government’s highest priority.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for restoring peace in Bastar, adding that the region has now been witnessing rapid development.
Sai said that villages once marked by violence and fear are now seeing the revival of normal life, with schools functioning and people actively participating in the democratic process.
He noted that over 3,000 Maoists have surrendered (in the last two-and-a-half years) and are being rehabilitated and trained through dedicated centres to help them reintegrate into society.
Highlighting development initiatives, the Chief Minister said that under the Niyad Nellanar Yojana (your good village scheme), more than 500 villages in the Bastar region have benefited from 45 schemes across 17 departments. The next phase, ‘Niyad Nellanar 2.0’, will expand to cover 10 districts.
During the event, Sai hailed the “Mukhyamantri Swasth Bastar Abhiyan,” under which 1,100 teams will conduct door-to-door health screenings across seven districts of the region, the release said.
He also handed over artificial limbs to five persons who had lost their legs in pressure IED (improvised explosive devices) blasts, it said.
Earlier in the day, while launching the Atal Aarogya Lab, Sai said the initiative would bring a revolution in healthcare services by providing modern and accessible diagnostic facilities.
The scheme will offer free diagnostic services at 1,046 health institutions, from district hospitals to primary health centres, benefiting lakhs of citizens across the state, he said.
Sai said the government is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable, and timely healthcare services to every citizen.
He added that strengthening diagnostic infrastructure would ensure early and accurate detection of diseases, leading to better health outcomes, particularly in remote areas like Bastar.
Through this advanced digital system, patients will be able to access 133 types of diagnostic tests for free. Reports will be delivered via SMS and WhatsApp, reducing the need for repeated hospital visits and speeding up treatment, according to the statement.
The Chief Minister also visited a rehabilitation centre for surrendered Naxalites in Sukma, where he reviewed ongoing rehabilitation and skill development activities.
He interacted with former Naxalites, encouraging them to embrace the mainstream life and congratulating them on starting anew, it added. PTI TKP NSK
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