Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday met Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in New Delhi and sought Rs 435 crore in Central assistance to provide grid electricity to 461 remote and formerly Naxal-affected villages across the seven districts of Bastar division under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana.
Submitting a detailed proposal, Sai said extending electricity to villages where development had long been hampered by Naxal violence remains one of the state government's top priorities. He said ensuring access to reliable power would be a major step towards inclusive development in the region.
Rs 973 Crore Electrification Plan
According to the proposal, the electrification project is estimated to cost Rs 973 crore, of which the state has requested Rs 435 crore from the Centre over three financial years. The proposed Central allocation includes Rs 85 crore in 2026-27, Rs 250 crore in 2027-28, and Rs 100 crore in 2028-29, while the remaining expenditure will be borne by the state government.
Sai urged the Union minister to approve the proposal as a special case under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, saying the project would help integrate these remote villages into the mainstream of development.
Electricity To Boost Education, Healthcare And Livelihoods
The Chief Minister said access to electricity would transform the lives of tribal families by improving education, healthcare, livelihoods and opportunities for small businesses.
Responding to the request, Oram assured the Chief Minister that the proposal would be processed for approval immediately after its formal submission under the Dharti Aaba Gram Utkarsh Yojana. He also said there would be no shortage of funds for the project and reaffirmed the Centre's commitment to Bastar's development.
Centre Assures Support For Bastar's Development
Sai said Bastar was steadily emerging as a symbol of development, trust and opportunity, adding that electrifying the 461 villages would mark another significant milestone in the region's transformation.