Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Tuesday said that several development works, which took place within three-and-a-half years of the Congress rule have yielded positive results in Bastar and now, peace is returning to Naxal-infested Bastar region.

Talking to mediapersons at Dantewada district headquarters, Chief Minister Baghel said, “I am glad that change is now visible in Dantewada where development works are being carried out. People in large numbers are visiting Dantewada. Education, health and transport facilities have improved here.”

Police patrolling has also increased in Bastar region. Earlier, bullets and blasts used to be synonymous with Bastar, but now Bastar is known for Dannax and many other things.

The Congress government has changed the way of Mahua collection. Mahua has started going to England and it is being sold at a cost of Rs116 per kilogram, Baghel added. He said that Bastar has always been known for its scenic and natural beauty and the simplicity of the tribe.

Bastar is famous for Maa Danteshwari Mandir, Bastar Dussehra and cock-fighting. Now people are tired of the bloodshed unleashed by the Naxal violence they want peace and development to take place and lead a normal life free from the fear of bullets and IED and that is happening now, he added.

The Chief Minister said that ‘Bhent Mulakat’ programme has given a new experience to him while sharing the problem and feelings of the people. Now, people in Bastar are thinking of development and progress like any other citizen of the state and they want to move ahead in their life.

The Congress government accordingly through its plans and programs is emphasising on development of each individual, he added.

Baghel said that he had been travelling to Dantewada as a member of the Youth Congress “I had close relations with Mahendra Karma Ji and due to the closeness with Mahendra Karma Ji, I often came to Dantewada and never missed any opportunity to visit Dantewada,” Baghel added.

Asked on the work of increasing livelihood works in Bastar region, the Chief Minister said that schools were closed and health facilities were not there and there was lack of employment. The Congress government has worked on the development of the individual, it worked for removing malnutrition, generating employment, securing the life of the people by countering the naxal threat effectively and many other issues were dealt with on priority by his government, said Baghel. To increase the income of the people, Kodo, Kutki and Ragi are being procured. 65 minor forest products are being procured and these are being processed. The Rates of Amchur and Mahua have increased and because of it, the people are getting benefits. Dantewada district is being made as a hub of organic farming. A lot of work in transportation, health, education, employment generations and in other sectors have taken place but more work remains to be done for a complete transformation of the Bastar region, he added. Replying to another query on several MLAs’ negative report, Baghel said, “Our MLAs are doing a good job. The Congress MLAs are constantly trying to address the grievances of the people of their constituencies and develop their constituencies.”