Chhattisgarh: Raman Singh banks on health and education as election nears

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh believes his administration’s steady focus on the basics – education, health, roads  and jobs – will help him win the race in the assembly elections due later this year. Many credit the emphasis on development and the social sector for the state’s performance  and its success in tackling Naxalism.
After innovating the public distribution  system – not just the distribution aspect but the entire cycle including production and  procurement – the administration turned to health and education.

The state’s universal health scheme has  helped improve the lives of 55 lakh families, Singh told ET. The state government plans  to implement the second phase of the programme under Ayushman  Bharat – the National Health Protection Scheme – beginning August 15, targeting  35 lakh poor families.

Efforts have been made to improve the delivery of health services in the state and this has helped reduce both infant mortality and maternal mortality rates, the chief minister said.

Integrating the Naxal-affected  Bastar region into the state has been a priority. Improved road connectivity, now being  backed up with direct rail links, and reliable power supply have been central to the  effort.

The social sector – schools,  vocational/skills education, and now a medical college – has also helped the people of  Bastar to assimilate and curb the influence of the Naxals.

On the employment front,  NMDC’s 3 million tonne Nagarnar Steel Plant in Bastar, which will go into production in  three to four months, is expected to be a major contributor in transforming the region.

“Like the Bhilai Steel Plant  changed the region when it was set up, the Nagarnar Steel Plant will change the entire  Bastar region by creating direct and indirect employment opportunities,” Singh  explained.

Over the past few years, the  state has been able to restrict the Naxals to the districts of Sukma and Bijapur. Places like  Gidam in Dantewada district, earlier considered to trouble spots, are now safe.  Travelling from Raipur to Jagdalpur to Dantewada to Konda is safe. “I keep travelling there,  I have taken the Prime Minister there as well,” said Singh, who is completing  his third term in the post. In curbing the activities of the Naxals, the focus has been on  skilling the local youth, improving ..