Continuing with his Adivasi agenda, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi today unveiled a special Rs 290-crore package for the tribals in the three border districts of Sarguja, Jaspur and Koria.The package covering social, health, educaiton, roads, power and irrigation sectors was finalised at the state Cabinet’s meeting held for the first time in this Naxalite infested border district.All three districts are backward and Jogi apparently wanted to encash on local’s sentiments over the neglect and underdevelopment of the areas under Madhya Pradesh.Except for district Koria, BJP has a considerable base in Sarguja and Jaspur districts. Naxalite problem in Sarguja is also a major roadblock in the development of the tribals and only recently the government had created a new police district of Balrampur within Sarguja district. Jogi admitted after the meeting that the Cabinet did not discuss any strategy to tackle the Naxalite problem in today’s meeting, saying the package itself would be an answer to the naxal problem and would also help in the socio-economic development of the area.‘‘Government has always treated the Naxalites’ problem in the state as a socio-economic issue. The package is aimed to ensure socio-economic development of the tribals living in the area.’’ He said the work on all the schemes sanctioned under the package will start immediately and would be completed by June 2004. The 21-point package, includes setting up a new university at Ambikapur to focus on advanced research on rural development, archaeology, forest and mining, special development project for two primitive tribes — Pandoh and Virhor — on the pattern of Korba tribe and a health project for 85,000 adivasi women and girls which according to a survey have been found with very low nutrition level.Other highlights of the package are a Rs 100 crore project to improve roads communication network in Sarguja and another Rs 70 crore project for north-south corridor. ‘‘This will position the state amongst most developed states of the country,’’ Jogi claimed.All hill stations in three districts will be developed under an integrated project to tap their tourism potential. For improving literacy among the tribal girls in the area, the package envisages the opening of two girls’ hostel at Ambikapur for under-graduate and postgraduate girls. A nursing training college was also proposed for Jaspur district.
