'Salwa Judum to protect nation's integrity'

Raipur, Aug 15: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today said the entire country was eagerly watching 'Salwa Judum' - the ongoing peoples' fight against Naxalite terrorism in tribal Bastar - saying that it would be recorded in the history as an unprecedented movement that contributed to protect the integrity of the nation.

''I appeal to misguided left wing extremists to withdraw themselves from the futile attempt to crush democracy and return to the national mainstream. Leave the path of bullets and join the ballots,'' he said while addressing a gathering after unfurling the national flag at the police ground here on the occasion of 60th Independence day celebrations.

Terming the 'Salwa Judum' movement as a present'freedom movement' launched by the tribal people of Bastar against violence and oppression and anti-development activities by the Maoists in the region, Dr Singh said the peoples' movement, which began more than two years ago, has now spread into many villages.

''Hence, we have to be cautious. This is the time that the people of Bastar must get more support and cooperation from all of us,'' he said, adding, '' we have to keep their morale high''. The state government was making all possible efforts to mop up resources and facilities to rehabilitate and providing security to those affected by the Naxalite violence, he added.

Reiterating his appeal to the Maoist rebels to shun violence and return to the political mainstream, Mr Singh said the state government had already announced a scheme for rehabilitation of Maoists, who were keen to surrender. ''The 60th year of Independence is an opportunity to think about the welfare of humanity with an open mind,'' he added.

Dr Singh, who also took salute of a colourful parade at the state level Independence Day celebrations, threw light on the progress made by the state, which came into existence after being carved out of Madhya Pradesh in November 2000. Elaborating on the schemes launched for he uplift of the small and marginal farmers, he said it was on the initiative of his government that the rate of interest on agricultural loans has been brought down to just six per cent from 14 per cent.

During the past three years, the area under horticulture crops has increased from 95,000 hectares to 2.16 lakh hectares while fish and fish seed production were doubled during the same period.

Special fruit and vegetable mandis (markets) are being developed where information technology facilities would be provided so that farmers could become aware about the prevailing market prices and sell their produce at a fair price.

Referring to irrigation facilities, the Chief Minister said the state's irrigation capacity was 30 per cent as against the national average of 49 per cent. '' We are making efforts to bridge this gap,'' he said, adding that 3.10 lakh hectare area had already been brought under irrigation till March this year and the target was to cover an additional area of 85,000 hectares by the end of this year.

Reiterating this government's commitment to develop Chhattisgarh as a ''Power Hub'', Dr Singh said power production has to be increased for the welfare of the state. He said the state electricity board had already signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with 34 private companies to produce 30,000 MW power through an investment of Rs 1.35 lakh crores. Work on few of these power plants had already started, he pointed out.

Asserting that the state was in favour of value-addition of its mineral resources within the state, the chief minister said it was necessary to ensure that the benefits of the state's resources contributed for generation of employment opportunities and prosperity of the local population. ''We have been persistently demanding from the centre to change the present policy on fixation of royalty of minerals so that the states could get royalty on the basis of its market price,'' he said adding that it would help all the mineral rich states.

Mr Singh also spoke in detail about his government's efforts such as to provide food security, development of roads, and protection of forests, steps being taken to provide employment to rural masses saying that consistent efforts were being made to ensure the all-round development of the state.

Later, a contingent of state police, state armed force presented a parade while children drawn from different schools presented colourful cultural programme to mark the Independence Day celebrations.

Meanwhile, reports from districts said ministers unfurled the tri-colour at the headquarters. Independence Day message of the Chief Minister was read out on the occasion.

Elaborate security arrangements were in place at all sensitive places, including in state capital and in districts were Naxalite groups are active.

UNI