Will make Bastar the most developed tribal region by 2030, says Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday, December 13, 2025, said that India is on the verge of eliminating Maoism by March 2026 and the government is now focusing on making Chhattisgarh’s Bastar the most developed tribal division in the country by 2030.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Bastar Olympics, he said, “Our decision is to liberate the entire territory of India, especially the Bastar region, from Maoism. But we will not stop here. Today, I declare before all of you that Kanker, Kondagaon, Bastar, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada and Narayanpur – these seven districts of Bastar division – will be the most developed tribal areas of the country by December 2030.”

Bastar Olympics is an annual mega sports event in Jagdalpur where participants from all seven districts of the region compete in various sports events. Maoists who surrendered this year also participated.

Arguing that peace can only pave the way for development, he outlined his 2030 vision, which he said would include basic amenities, expanded services and special programs.

“..every household will have access to basic amenities, every village will be connected by roads, every village will have electricity, banking facilities will be available within a 5 km radius and most importantly, both the central and state governments of the Bharatiya Janata Party will work to establish a network of Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs),” he said.

Mr. Shah also said that units for processing forest products will be set up here on cooperative basis and the government will also aim to increase income through dairy production.

“We will also set up new industries, higher education institutions, world-class sports schools and the required number of hospitals in Bastar. Special programs will be launched to combat malnutrition. We will also introduce excellent rehabilitation programs for those who surrendered, laid down their arms and converted from Maoism, as well as those injured due to Maoism.”

While reiterating his call to all Maoists to lay down their arms, Mr. Shah praised all participants, especially mentioning the surrendered Maoists competing in the Bastar Olympics.

“I was very happy when I received the news that more than 700 surrendered Maoist brothers participated in these games. 700 young people, whose lives could have been ruined by falling into the trap of Maoism, have now found a new path through sports,” he said.