RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: The Chhattisgarh government has announced a significant step toward the rehabilitation of surrendered Naxalites and families affected by Naxal violence.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the Central Government has approved the construction of 15,000 houses as part of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana (PMAY).

Chief Minister Sai highlighted the initiative as a crucial measure to integrate surrendered Naxalites and affected families into the mainstream. “These 15,000 homes are not just physical structures but a symbol of dignity and security for those who have faced extreme hardships. The scheme will be implemented with complete transparency and urgency”, he stated.

Calling it a revolutionary step, the Chief Minister expressed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of people in Naxal-affected regions and fostering social harmony and development.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma explained that the project specifically targets families who were excluded from earlier databases like the Socio-Economic Caste Census 2011 and Awas Plus 2018. The Central Government has granted approval for their names to be uploaded to the Awas Plus portal, with a deadline of December 6, 2024.

Sharma, who held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, noted that these efforts secured the go ahead signal for the construction of 15,000 houses.

“This milestone reflects the government’s dedication to ensuring a dignified life for surrendered Naxalites and victim families”, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister outlined the procedural roadmap for the scheme. District Superintendents of Police will prepare lists of eligible surrendered Naxalites and affected families, which will then be verified by the District Panchayat. Following it, land allocation for housing will be managed by the district collectors. The construction process will adhere to the guidelines of the PMAY, ensuring efficient delivery of homes to the beneficiaries.