Chhattisgarh focus on development to tackle naxalism

Raipur, Feb 25: Focussing on socio-economic development of naxalite infested areas, Chhattisgarh's budget for fiscal 2006-07 earmarked more funds to improve education and health facilities.

''Our effort is to remove the regional imbalance and to give priority to development of naxalite areas'', Finance Minister Amar Agrawal told newsmen after presenting the budget in the Vidhan Sabha.

He said adequate funds have been earmarked for development initiatives to be taken up in naxalite infested tribal Bastar and Sarguja regions. He said these funds would be utilised for improving education and health facilities besides taking up construction of roads and bridges, electricity, irrigation and other basic facilities.

Pointing out that the budget allocation for education was proposed to be increased by 20 per cent, Mr Agrawal said 4000 new school buildings would be constructed. As many as 120 new primary schools and 1200 middle schools would be opened and 127 high schools would be upgraded to higher secondary schools.

Stating that budget allocation for health has been increased by 39 per cent, the minister said a target of energising one lakh agricultural pumps in next three years has been fixed.

In the first phase, he said, a subsidy of Rs 50 crore would be provided to the state electricity board for energising 25,000 agriculture pumps. Besides, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the construction of seven medium irrigation projects, 118 small irrigation projects and 89 anicuts.Raipur, Feb 25 (UNI) Focussing on socio-economic development of naxalite infested areas, Chhattisgarh's budget for fiscal 2006-07 earmarked more funds to improve education and health facilities.

''Our effort is to remove the regional imbalance and to give priority to development of naxalite areas'', Finance Minister Amar Agrawal told newsmen after presenting the budget in the Vidhan Sabha.

He said adequate funds have been earmarked for development initiatives to be taken up in naxalite infested tribal Bastar and Sarguja regions. He said these funds would be utilised for improving education and health facilities besides taking up construction of roads and bridges, electricity, irrigation and other basic facilities.

Pointing out that the budget allocation for education was proposed to be increased by 20 per cent, Mr Agrawal said 4000 new school buildings would be constructed. As many as 120 new primary schools and 1200 middle schools would be opened and 127 high schools would be upgraded to higher secondary schools.

Stating that budget allocation for health has been increased by 39 per cent, the minister said a target of energising one lakh agricultural pumps in next three years has been fixed.

In the first phase, he said, a subsidy of Rs 50 crore would be provided to the state electricity board for energising 25,000 agriculture pumps. Besides, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the construction of seven medium irrigation projects, 118 small irrigation projects and 89 anicuts.

UNI