Chhattisgarh CM highlights tourism potential, vows to eliminate Naxalism

HORNBILL TV

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday emphasised the immense potential of the tourism sector in the state, particularly in the Bastar and Surguja regions.

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 26 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday emphasised the immense potential of the tourism sector in the state, particularly in the Bastar and Surguja regions, and reiterated the government’s commitment to eliminating Naxalism to pave the way for development and employment generation.

Speaking to the media, CM Sai said, ‘There is immense potential in the tourism sector in Chhattisgarh, especially in Bastar and Surguja... but the biggest hurdle is Naxalism, which the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister have resolved to eliminate... We are looking at tourism as an industry — the provisions which are being given to the industrial sector will also be given to the tourism sector, and a complete roadmap is being prepared for this.’

‘In this way, we will be able to provide employment to more people, protect the environment, and stop pollution. The government is keeping a close eye on this,’ he added.

CM Sai also cited data indicating that nearly 77 per cent of the Naxal problem is concentrated in Chhattisgarh, with the remaining 23 per cent spread across neighbouring states including Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. He said the government is closely monitoring the situation and working on long-term solutions.

In a separate development, the Chief Minister announced that Kedarnath Gupta has officially assumed charge as the Chairman of Chhattisgarh Rajya Sahakari Bank Maryadit (Apex Bank). The swearing-in ceremony was attended by several stakeholders from the cooperative sector.

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sai paid tribute to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Girpunje in Raipur, who was killed in a Naxal attack in Sukma’s Konta area on June 9. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma were also present at the ceremony.

ASP Girpunje was killed in an IED blast in Sukma’s Konta area. He had served in Bastar for about one and a half years and was known for his dedication to maintaining law and order.

(ANI)