Chief Minister announces major initiatives for development in the Bastar region
Chief Minister announces the establishment of ‘Maa Danteshwari Shakti Centre’ in all districts of Bastar division
Chief Minister listens to stories of courage and bravery from women police constables
Raipur, 8 March 2024//
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai participated in a program organised at the auditorium of Jawanga Education City in Dantewada district on the occasion of International Women’s Day on Friday. He stated, “It is my privilege to be amidst the women’s power of Bastar on International Women’s Day. Despite adverse circumstances, the brave women of Bastar have stood firm to protect society and the country. The Bastar Fighters, Danteshwari Fighters, CRPF, and other security forces are providing their important services efficiently”. Chief Minister boosted the morale of the women police constables deployed in the Bastar Fighters and Danteshwari Fighters by listening to their struggles and bravery stories.
He stated that serving in Bastar poses significant challenges. The work of women police officers deployed amidst dense forests, rivers, and caves in the security forces is even more difficult, but the women here are dedicated to their duties with courage and bravery. This is highly commendable and inspiring. He shared that he received the blessings of the Goddess Danteshwari Mata at the Danteshwari Shaktipeeth in Dantewada. Bastar is renowned for its women’s power by the grace of Goddess Mata Danteshwari.
Chief Minister stated that women have been respected in India since ancient times. It is mentioned in the Vedas that gods reside in those households where women are revered. He stated that the tradition of worshipping Durga for power, Lakshmi for prosperity, and Saraswati for knowledge has existed in this country. In other words, the treasure of power, wealth, and knowledge lies with women’s power. This tradition of respecting women is still alive today. Smt Droupadi Murmu holds the highest constitutional position, the president, in the country.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that provisions for honouring women’s power have also been made in the constitution. There is a provision for 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, while the Chhattisgarh Government has provided 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. Women today are not lagging behind in any field. They are flying fighter planes, travelling to space.
He stated, “Our government is focusing on the development of Bastar and Surguja, as without the development of these regions, the progress of Chhattisgarh is not possible. Our government is working to fulfil the promises made under the “Modi Ki Guarantee”. Our cabinet had sanctioned 18 lakh houses to the beneficiaries of the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Our government has disbursed Rs. 3716 crore as a pending bonus for paddy procurement to over 12 lakh farmers in the state. We have procured paddy at Rs. 3100 per quintal and up to 21 quintals per acre, as promised under Modi’s Guarantee. Our government has procured paddy at a support price from the state farmers. Payment of more than Rs. 13,000 crore for the paddy procurement difference to 24 lakh farmers will be made soon. On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai honoured Naxal-affected families with shawls and shriphal while encouraging the women police constables by providing them with uniforms.
Chief Minister Shri Sai announced several initiatives to promote sports and cultural activities in all the districts of Bastar Division. These include the establishment of ‘Maa Danteshwari Shakti Center’ in the headquarters of all the districts, the construction of a Shaheed Smarak and Amar Vatika in Karli, the development of a high-end ‘Sports City’ in the district akin to Jawanga Education Hub, the establishment of girls’ hostels to accommodate 100 girls in Palnar and Badegudra, pre-matric girls’ hostels for 25 girls in Semoeli and Madakamiraas, the establishment hostels to accommodate 50 girls in Jangampal and Marzoom, reconstruction of ashram-hostel buildings in Burgum, Potali, and Nahadi, approval for primary health centres in Arnapur, Ronje, and Ganjenar, approval for opening two sub-health centres in each of the seven districts as per requirement, and provision of Rs. 10 lakh for Fagun Madai in Dantewada. He also announced the name of the new college in Jawanga after Veerangana Masak Devi.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai arrived in Jawanga and shared a meal with female police personnel deployed in various security forces, including Bastar Fighters, Danteshwari Fighters, and CRPF, along with the schoolgirls of Jawanga Education City.
Dantewada MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, Chitrakote MLA Shri Vinayak Goyal, Commissioner of Bastar Shri Shyam Dhawde, IG Bastar Range Shri Sundarraj P., Commission Public Relations Shri Mayank Srivastava, Collector Shri Mayank Chaturvedi, SP Shri Gaurav Rai, esteemed citizens, social workers, and women activists were present.
