*Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Meets Union Minister of Tribal Affairs*

Raipur/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai met Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Jual Oram in New Delhi and sought special financial assistance of ₹435 crore from the Centre to extend grid electricity to 461 remote and formerly Naxal-affected villages across the seven districts of Bastar Division under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana.

Submitting a detailed proposal, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that providing electricity to villages where development had remained stalled for years due to Naxal violence is among the State Government's highest priorities. He emphasized that ensuring access to this basic infrastructure would mark a significant step towards inclusive development in the region.

Shri Sai informed the Union Minister that the project entails a total investment of ₹973 crore. Of this, the State Government has sought ₹435 crore in Central assistance over three financial years under the scheme. The proposed allocation includes ₹85 crore in 2026-27, ₹250 crore in 2027-28, and ₹100 crore in 2028-29, while the remaining cost will be borne by the State Government.

 Chief Minister Shri Sai urged Shri Oram to accord early approval to the proposal as a special case under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, enabling these remote villages to join the mainstream of development. He said that access to electricity would bring transformative change to the lives of tribal families by strengthening education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and the growth of small-scale enterprises.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Jual Oram assured the Chief Minister that the proposal would be processed for approval immediately upon its receipt under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana. He said there would be no shortage of funds for the project and reaffirmed the Centre's full support for the development of Bastar.

Shri Sai said that Bastar is steadily emerging as a symbol of development, trust and new opportunities, adding that electrifying these 461 villages would be another significant milestone in the region's journey of transformation.