Will deal with Naxals by taking locals in confidence: CM

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel told the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Thursday that his government will address the issues of Naxal menace and imposition of liquor ban by taking people into confidence.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the Governor's address, Baghel said his government was working to bring about a change, and not for exacting revenge.

"The state government will work to add colour to the lives of people from every section of society. We are working to bring change, not for revenge.

"Our government will work for solving the Naxal problem and (imposing) liquor ban while taking people into confidence," Baghel said.

To eliminate the Naxal problem, the Congress government will hold talks with affected people including villagers alongwith intellectuals and journalists, he said.

Liquor is a social evil, but to get rid of it, society too has to come forward alongwith the government, Baghel said.

"We will not take any step on both anti-Naxal action and liquor ban without taking people into confidence," he added.

Within 20-25 days of coming to power, the Congress government has taken several decisions to fulfil its poll promises, he asserted.

The government waived loans worth Rs 6,100 crore of 16,50,000 farmers, decided to purchase paddy at Rs 2,500 per quintal and increased the stipend of tendu leaves collectors from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per sack, he said.

It also decided to form a new committee to study prospects for a liquor ban in the state, he added.

The working of district mineral funds (DMF) will be reviewed while over 300 cases against chit fund company agents will be withdrawn, the chief minister assured.

At the same time, the investors who lost money to chit fund scams will get their hard-earned money back, Baghel stressed.

The state government ordered return of 4,400 acres of land, acquired for a Tata Steel Plant project, to 1,700 farmers in Lohandiguda area of Bastar district, he said.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik said the Congress government won the election by making false promises.

Its stand on Naxal menace, which the BJP government had successfully contained, is not clear, Kaushik alleged.

After the discussion, the motion was passed with a voice vote. After the completion of the listed business, the House was adjourned till February 8.