IIT Bhilai students will help change Chhattisgarh's image, says CM Raman Singh

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has said that the students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Bhilai will help in improving the image of Chhattisgarh which has been perceived as an under-developed and Naxal-hit state.

Singh, while addressing students during the inauguration of IIT in Bhilai, said that the government has been working hard to ensure peace and tranquility in the state.

"I want to say that these 119 students, who would be spending their next 4 years in Chhattisgarh, will help change the perception of the world who view the state as under developed and Naxal -hit. We have been trying hard to improve the image of the state and will ensure tranquility prevails," he said.

Singh asserted that the state has been developing at a faster rate under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the centre, and also thanked the former environment minister Prakash Javadekar for speedy project clearances.

"In the past 3-4 years, we have taken steps in building connectivity, like railway, air, road, and telecom. Development works worth 40,000 crore rupees are taking place. I would like to emphasise that, ever since Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, the developmental works in the state have been taking place at a rapid pace," he said.

"I can openly say that, for the past 10-13 years I have been running from pillar to post to get clearance from the central government for development projects in the state but to no avail. But when Prakash Javedekar became Environment Minister, developmental works have been taking place at a rapid pace," he added.

He said that Chhattisgarh is a mineral rich state which contributes 15-18 percent of the supply of minerals to the core sector.

Singh further said the state has better diamond mines than Bostwana and intends to exploit the mines to improve the economy of the state.

"Chhattisgarh is one such state where the land is resources rich land. We have better Diamond mines than Bostwana (Jwaneng diamond mine). In the upcoming years, the diamond will play a significant role in bolstering the economy," he said.