Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav on Saturday said Balaghat was turning a new page, announcing a ₹225-crore development and livelihood initiative aimed at transforming 100 villages that were formerly affected by Naxal activities.

During his visit to Balaghat, CM Dr Yadav held an interaction with residents of Bondari, a village previously affected by Naxalism. Sitting among villagers, the Chief Minister heard the concerns of members of the tribal community and discussed measures to address them.

The discussions covered livestock rearing, housing facilities, awareness campaigns to encourage the use of nutritious food, support from the Forest Department, healthcare, education and expanding employment opportunities. CM Dr Yadav directed officials to ensure the necessary facilities reach the people.

Before the programme, women beneficiaries from Balaghat, popularly known as Ladli Behna beneficiaries, also tied a rakhi on the Chief Minister.

From Naxal-affected villages to engines of development

CM Dr Yadav said the government's clear resolve was “security with development and employment with development”.

He said areas that had emerged from the shadow of Naxalism would now receive greater attention to strengthen roads, electricity, drinking water, education and healthcare, while simultaneously creating local employment and self-employment opportunities.

A still from MP CM Dr Yadav's Balaghat visit

Under the ₹225-crore initiative, development of social and economic infrastructure will be undertaken through several departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Energy, Education, Industry, Women and Child Development, AYUSH, Food, Fisheries, Health, Public Health Engineering, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture, Tribal Affairs and Tourism.

The initiative seeks to strengthen social infrastructure in the 100 villages and connect rural residents, young people, women and tribal communities with the mainstream of development.

Linking villages with markets, youth with opportunities

The Chief Minister said the objective was no longer limited to building roads, but to “connect roads with markets, villages with employment and youth with opportunities”. He said MSMEs and local industries would be encouraged in Balaghat to create employment and self-employment opportunities for young people within their own region.

Agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and food processing would be promoted as avenues to increase rural household incomes. The government would also seek to ensure that locally produced goods undergo value addition within the region before reaching larger markets across the country.

Special emphasis would be placed on connecting women and self-help groups with economic activities and small enterprises. CM Dr Yadav said efforts would also be made to provide young people with skills, training and entrepreneurship opportunities so that they become job creators rather than merely job seekers.

MP CM Dr Yadav interacting with the residents of Balaghat

The Chief Minister also highlighted Balaghat’s natural wealth and cultural heritage, saying tourism, eco-tourism and tribal tourism would be developed further.

‘Safe Balaghat, prosperous Balaghat’

CM Dr Yadav said Balaghat was moving forward with a new resolve; to remain not only Naxal-free but also rich in development and employment opportunities.

“Naxal-free Balaghat is our achievement, but a prosperous and self-reliant Balaghat is our next goal,” he said.

The government’s objective, he added, was to ensure development in every village, opportunities for every young person, higher incomes for every family and dignity for every community.

The expansion of social infrastructure and economic activity will be central to the effort to transform a secure Balaghat into a prosperous one. Taking development to the last person in areas freed from Naxalism, he said, remained a government priority.

Special focus on the Baiga community

CM Dr Yadav also pledged special attention to the comprehensive development of the Baiga community, describing it as an important part of Madhya Pradesh’s rich tribal heritage.

He said efforts would be made to ensure that Baiga families receive the benefits of schemes related to education, healthcare, drinking water, housing, roads, electricity and social security.

Special initiatives would seek to connect Baiga youth with education, skills, employment and self-employment. The government would also work to link the community’s traditional art, culture, knowledge and local products with livelihoods and wider markets.

CM Dr Yadav said the aim was to ensure that the Baiga community moved forward in the mainstream of development with dignity, rights and opportunities, while improving the future of its children, creating jobs for its youth and increasing women’s incomes.

Among those present at the programme were Minister-in-Charge Rao Uday Pratap Singh, Chief Secretary Ashok Varnwal, MP Bharati Pardhi, Minister Sampatiya Uikey, local MLAs Sanjay Uikey and Madhu Bhagat, and village sarpanches and residents.