RAIPUR,CG: The Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee delegation demanded giving special status to the state and increasing the state's share in financial resources.

The demand was raised before the Finance Commission of India during the interaction with political parties on Thursday at Raipur.

The party delegation pointed out that more than 30 percent of population is tribes, more than 12 percent of Scheduled Castes and large population of Other Backward Classes, malnutrition, health and education related challenges in tribal areas, as Naxalite situation can be overcome by development of extensive infrastructure in sparsely populated interior areas.

Therefore, a special package should be provided for rapid development of various infrastructure facilities. Need of Maoist employment, expansion of air services to Raipur as well as Bilaspur, Bastar, Surguja, need of help for establishment of IT hub in Chhattisgarh.

It was pointed out that due to climate, the cost of agriculture is high and production is low, hence farmers should get incentive assistance, a special relief package to reach the masses to promote solar energy, and health facilities for women and children. The demand was for a special relief package for setting up new hospitals, a relief package for preparing new grounds at every block level to promote sports, need for research for sickle cell and assistance to the affected families, development of infrastructure.

Due to the large amount of mineral production in Chhattisgarh, its minerals are exported to many countries including Japan and many states of the country. The state has to suffer the loss of being a mineral producing state. It is necessary to ensure justice to the state, a special status be given to the state including a special assistance package. Shailesh Nitin Trivedi, State President Law Department Deva Dewangan, CA Ravi Gwalani were present in the meeting.