Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh on Tuesday said the Centre has realised the importance of `Salwa Judum'-- the ongoing peoples' movement against Maoists in Bastar-- and joint efforts were required to eradicate the Naxalite menace in the country.

Addressing the gathering at the Independence Day celebrations after unfurling the national flag at the police ground here, he said his Government had extended all support to the local people of tribal Bastar when they launched `Salwa Judum', which means peace mission in a local dialect, against Naxalite violence.

"The victims of violence rose against the armed violence by the rebels. The Naxalites, out of fear of being isolated, unleashed terror, killing the innocent people in the villages and even those who had taken shelter in the relief camps," he said adding that the "martyrdom" of these innocent tribesmen would not go waste.

Asserting that it was with the efforts of the State that the Centre has now realised the importance of ongoing `Salwa Judum' in Bastar, the Chief Minister said a joint effort by the people, the Centre and the States concerned would help wipe out Naxalism.

"I salute the forest-dwellers of Bastar for their courage for launching a campaign to protect country's unity, freedom and preserve its democracy," Mr Singh added.

Claiming that Chhattisgarh, which was carved out as a new State in November 2000, has been making all round progress, the Chief Minister said his Government has initiated several measures to improve the lot of the farmers.

Besides providing short-term agriculture loan at seven per cent rate of the interest, the Chief Minister said planned efforts were being made to develop more irrigation facilities. "We have formulated a three-year action plan to bring State's irrigation potential on a par with the national average of 49 per cent sowing area."

Referring to energy sector, Mr Singh claimed that the State would become power surplus with the installation of 10,000 MW power projects. "Atal Jyoti Yojana has been launched to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the rural areas," he said. "An amount of Rs. 618 crores has been earmarked to energise irrigation pumps in 9667 villages through separate electric lines."

Pointing out that Chhattisgarh has become the first State to take up production of bio-diesel, he said a Bio-diesel Development Authority has been set up and more than 22 crore Jatropa plants planted in the State.

Stating that local people dependent on the forests were getting benefits from the trade of forest produce, Mr Singh said Rs 15 crores have been distributed as bonus for those who collect Sal seed from the forests while those engaged in collection of tendu leaves (Beedi leaves) were paid Rs 509 crores as bonus.

He said 43 separate projects were functioning for value addition of forest produce while a Rs 21-crore project was being worked out for generating employment.

On the special efforts being made for the overall development of the tribal areas, the Chief Minister said the State Government has been successful in motivating investors to set up mega power plants in Bastar and tribal Sarguja region. These projects will help generate employment opportunities in these backward areas.

Earlier, the Chief Minister took salute of an impressive parade by the State police, Special Armed Force (SAF), home guards, National Cadet Corps and scouts and guides.

During the function, the Chief Minister conferred one distinguished police service medal, four gallantry medals and five meritorious medals to police personnel, recognising their outstanding service. Children drawn from various schools presented a colourful cultural programme. UNI

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