At NITI Aayog meet, Chhattisgarh CM pitches post-Naxal Bastar vision, targets Rs 30k monthly family income

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh on Thursday unveiled an ambitious post-conflict development blueprint for "new Bastar," promising everything from a dairy-led income push and large-scale irrigation projects to tourism expansion, with the goal of raising average household earnings to Rs 30,000 a month within three years. Presenting the plan at the NITI aayog governing council meeting in New Delhi, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the region's future would be defined by economic opportunity rather than insurgency.Addressing the 11th governing council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, Sai said the state has set an ambitious target. The state govt maintained that nearly 85% of families in the region currently earn less than Rs 15,000 a month.The chief minister outlined a multi-pronged strategy centred on agriculture, animal husbandry, forest produce and rural enterprises. A key component is a proposed "dairy model" under which tribal households would be provided milk cattle to create a steady source of income and generate local employment through milk collection and processing networks.Sai also announced plans for two major irrigation projects worth over Rs 2,000 crore, aimed at bringing 32,000 hectares under assured irrigation. The projects are expected to help farmers diversify beyond paddy cultivation and take up vegetables, fruits and other cash crops.In a region where access to healthcare remains a challenge, the govt plans to create digital health profiles for nearly 36 lakh residents. Officials say the initiative will help improve treatment records and healthcare delivery, particularly in remote tribal areas.The chief minister said nearly 200 security camps established in Bastar are being transformed into "Seva Deras", offering villagers access to welfare schemes, banking, healthcare, pensions and education services at a single location. According to the state, beneficiaries can access 371 central and state govt schemes through these centres.Tourism also featured prominently in the state's vision document. Sai said the govt aims to develop Chitrakote and Sirpur into world-class tourism destinations while expanding activities such as water sports, adventure tourism and jungle safaris in Bastar.CM highlighted broader economic reforms, including 435 governance reforms, expansion of digital platforms, semiconductor investments and the establishment of education hubs in Abujhmarh and Jagargunda. He also said the state had exported goods worth Rs 761.76 crore by February in the 2025-26 financial year, with aromatic rice contributing the largest share.