Chhattisgarh Seeks Central Aid for Electrifying Remote Villages

Request for Financial Assistance

The Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Dev Sai, has approached the central government for a special financial aid of ₹435 crores to extend grid electricity to 461 remote villages in the Bastar region, which have previously been affected by Naxalite activities. This information was shared by officials on Friday.

During a meeting with the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jual Oram, Chief Minister Sai submitted a detailed proposal under the 'Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana'. This initiative aims to provide electricity to the identified villages across seven districts in the Bastar division.

The Chief Minister emphasized that delivering basic amenities like electricity to villages that have suffered from years of Naxal violence is a top priority for the state government. He noted that the total estimated cost for this project is ₹973 crores, with financial assistance requested from the central government over three fiscal years.

Specifically, the proposal seeks ₹85 crores for the year 2026-27, ₹250 crores for 2027-28, and ₹100 crores for 2028-29, summing up to ₹435 crores, while the remaining costs will be covered by the state government. Sai urged the central minister to expedite the approval process under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, allowing these remote villages in Bastar to connect with the mainstream of development. He highlighted that the provision of electricity would significantly enhance the lives of tribal families, boosting education, health, employment, and small industries.

Officials reported that Oram assured the Chief Minister that the approval process would commence promptly upon receipt of the proposal under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana.