Chhattisgarh focuses on infrastructure, security

Chhattisgarh Governor E S L Narasimhan said that the state would focus on strengthening security and infrastructure in the Naxal-hit areas to maintain law and order.

Addressing the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on the opening day of the Budget session on Monday, Narasimhan said, “Let's hope that the New Year will bring an end to the Naxal menace and speed up development works in the affected areas.”

“The state government is making efforts to increase security forces and develop necessary infrastructure, particularly in the insurgency-hit areas, to maintain law and order,” he said.

He added that the state government had sanctioned 23 new police stations in the violence-hit areas and four outposts had been upgraded to regular police stations.

Referring to the industrial policy of the state, the Governor said the government had identified block and not the district as a parameter for the industrial growth. “This would help in taking industrial development to the grassroot,” he added.

Narasimhan said the government was working for value-addition to the rich minerals by setting up industries. It was taking measures to ensure participation of the investors in development.

“It is a matter of great pride that within nine years of coming into being, Chhattisgarh is now considered among the leading states in the country,” the Governor said, adding that this would create new opportunities for development in the state.