Funds seeked for Maoist-hit districts

Chhattisgarh has sought Rs.4,553.17 crore from the Planning Commission for integrated development of seven districts hit by Maoist violence, an official said today.

Chhattisgarh has sought Rs.4,553.17 crore from the Planning Commission for integrated development of seven districts hit by Maoist violence, an official said on Saturday.

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The finance and planning department has sent a proposal for development of Bastar region's five districts -- Kanker, Bastar, Narayanpur, Bijapur and Dantewada -- besides Rajnandgaon district in the state's west and Surguja district in the north.

"We have mooted the proposal for carrying out a massive development plan over the next three years in the seven worst-hit districts, the proposed amount to be spent on road infrastructure besides improving health, education, electricity, security, nutrition and generating mass employment opportunities," a finance department official told IANS.

He said that the proposal, dispatched Friday, seeks Rs.1,098.83 crore for Surguja district, Rs.600.01 crore for Rajnandgaon, Rs.871.09 crore for Bastar, Rs.644.03 crore for Kanker, Rs.664.03 crore for Dantewada, Rs.430.96 crore for Bijapur and Rs.243.74 crore for Narayanpur district.

Maoists command the interiors of these seven districts, of the total 18 districts in the state.

Police admit that nearly 2,000 people have been killed in Maoist violence in the state since its creation in November 2000. The casualties include nearly 1,000 civilians and 650 policemen.