Bastar’s Soul Lies in Its Culture, Panchayats Freed from Terror Will Receive a Development Package of One Crore – Deputy CM Sharma

Raipur, March 22
The Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vijay Sharma, today attended the “Bastar Pandum” district-level event as the chief guest in Bijapur. On this occasion, he praised the culture of Bastar and said that Bastar’s culture is not only unique to Chhattisgarh but to the entire world. With the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, efforts have already begun to give it international recognition.

He informed that from 1st to 3rd April, the Bastar Pandum competition at the divisional level will be held in Dantewada, where the Chief Minister, along with Union Ministers and distinguished guests from India and abroad, will witness Bastar’s traditional art forms, folk arts, and cultural grandeur.

Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sharma, speaking about the decisive fight against Maoism, said that any panchayat that declares its area free from Maoism will immediately be sanctioned up to one crore rupees for development works. Additionally, electricity, mobile networks, and other basic amenities will be provided as a priority in such areas.

Shri Sharma urged the citizens of Bijapur to participate enthusiastically and with pride in the Bastar Pandum festival from 1st to 3rd April, so that the world can experience the grandeur of Bastar’s culture. He said that the time has come to free beautiful and naturally rich districts like Bijapur from the menace of red terror and to move forward on the path of development. The government has resolved to end Naxalism from across the country by March 2026. He firmly stated that the government does not wish to fire a single bullet. If anyone wishes to leave the path of terror and join the mainstream, they are welcome. However, if someone persists in the path of treason, the strictest actions will be taken. Treason will not be tolerated at any cost.