Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha speaks during a press conference. The Deputy CM said that after the end of armed Maoism in Chhattisgarh, the state government is firmly focused on the development of Bastar. | Photo credit: ANI
With armed Maoism “completely eliminated” in Chhattisgarh by March 31, the state government is now firmly focused on developing Bastar by preserving tribal culture and creating economic opportunities for the youth, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said.
The region’s economy will be boosted by smaller forest production and self-help groups led by women, Mr. Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in an interview to PTI on Monday (March 30, 2026) evening.
Armed Maoists in the state have been “completely eliminated”, with a handful of remaining cadres expected to surrender soon, he said.
Mr Sharma said development remains the biggest challenge in Bastar, once considered a Maoist stronghold, with a focus on protecting the environment, preserving tribal culture and creating economic opportunities for the youth.
Asked about Bastar’s development plan, he said there is no firm plan yet, but conceptually the focus is clear.
“Development is a continuous process, whether in Bastar or Surguja. There is no direct link between lack of development and taking over arms,” said the Deputy Chief Minister.
When asked about the promises for Bastar, especially compared to the Surguja tribal region of the state, which got rid of the Maoist menace more than a decade ago but still faces development challenges, he said there is no place in the world where development has ever been completed.
“Tell me any place, in London or the United States, where there is no scope for further development. Development is a continuous process… it will continue to happen, whether in Bastar or Surguja,” he said.
Mr. Sharma also stressed that lack of development and insurgency should not be linked.
“We have to understand that development takes time. Absence of development does not mean that people will take up arms again. Development and taking up arms are two completely different things. Socio-economic problems do not inspire people to take up arms… there is no correlation between them,” he said.
Mr. Sharma said sustained efforts would be required to transform Bastar.
“We will have to work very hard and do a lot more for the development of Bastar,” he asserted.
“I firmly believe that the youth of Bastar has such immense talent that it would not be a surprise if someone from Bastar brings home a medal in the 2036 Olympics,” he said.
Besides, the women of Bastar, “our mothers and sisters”, are destined to become real pillars of the region’s economy in the future, Mr. Sharma pointed out.
“I am absolutely confident that through self-help groups, these women will successfully establish big businesses in the region. As we continue our efforts, Bastar will see it speeding on the path of development and its youth will see it make its mark on the global stage,” he said.
In future, Bastar’s economy will be built on the foundation of its minor forest produce and this process is already underway, the Deputy CM noted.
As stated by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in the Legislative Assembly, there is absolutely no sense in the rumors and misconceptions currently being spread about increasing mining activities and similar issues in Bastar, Mr. Sharma asserted.
The Chief Minister clarified that there is no such agenda and the government is not preparing any such plans, he added.
Published – 31 March 2026 09:44 IST
