Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], September 20 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai chaired a meeting of the Central Region Tribal Development Authority at the Korba Collectorate on Wednesday and assured that the government is taking all concrete measures for the welfare and holistic development of tribal communities, adding that there would be no shortage of resources for development works.
Announcing a major step, CM Sai declared that the Authority’s budget has been increased from INR 50 crore to INR 75 crore for the better development of Scheduled Tribe communities in the Central Region, according to a press release. He said the government has strengthened inclusive development by forming the Bastar, Surguja and Central Region Tribal Development Authorities, along with the Scheduled Caste Development Authority and the Chhattisgarh State Rural and Other Backwards Classes Development Authority.
He added that the primary aim of these bodies is to accelerate development in tribal areas, ensure transparency, and deliver public services to every village and family. Pointing to lapses of the previous government, Sai said many schemes failed due to poor monitoring and lack of accountability. To change this, the present government has restructured the authorities, broadening membership to include MPs, district panchayat chairpersons, and social workers experienced in tribal development.
The Chief Minister said education, healthcare and livelihood schemes are being prioritised, with initiatives such as the Dharti Aba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan and PM Janman Yojana strengthening housing, roads, electricity, drinking water and digital connectivity in tribal areas. Women’s empowerment through Self-Help Groups and vocational training for youth are also being expanded.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma emphasised preserving tribal culture and suggested de-addiction centres, early education, and better irrigation facilities for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Deputy CM Arun Sao highlighted that the meeting was the first since November 2019, held in a Scheduled Area to underline the CM’s commitment.
CM Sai also announced INR 10 crore each for boys’ and girls’ sports complexes in Korba, INR 10 crore each for two complexes for PVTG players, and INR 5 crore for a residential school for PVTG students. To improve connectivity, INR 9 crore was sanctioned for the Sunalia Bridge, while directions were issued to expedite the Buka-Satrenga tourism project.
On irrigation, Sai said INR 2,800 crore has been sanctioned to complete 115 pending projects, which will provide irrigation facilities to about 76,000 hectares of land once finished.
(ANI)