Chhattisgarh government announces special incentives for ‘Maoism free’ Panchayats

To encourage bulk surrenders in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, the State government has announced a new scheme offering construction works worth ₹1 crore and other incentives for “Maoism free” panchayats. 

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said on Friday (March 21, 2025) that under the ‘Elvad Panchayat Abhiyan’, a panchayat would have to facilitate the surrender of every resident of its constituent villages who had been involved in Naxal activities. Following this, the village will send a proposal declaring itself “Maoist-free”. 

“Following this, construction work worth one crore rupees will be immediately sanctioned to that Panchayat, along with this, a mobile network facility will be made available in that Panchayat by installing a tower or transmitting it from a nearby tower, and electricity connection will be taken there by pulling the electric wire and till the electricity connection is not made, arrangement of solar light will be made there,” said Mr. Sharma at a press conference here. 

While the Minister, who holds the home and Panchayati raj portfolios, said that the scheme to promote bulk surrenders was on the lines of open defecation-free or ODF villages, he also discussed the other aspects of the State government’s recently approved Chhattisgarh Naxal Surrender/Victim Relief and Rehabilitation Policy-2025. 

“Maoists who have laid down arms will be imparted skills development training and allotted land and houses under the PM housing scheme. Many other provisions, including financial aid, have been included in the new policy,” he told journalists.

At the press conference, held in the backdrop of Thursday’s twin encounters that left 30 alleged Maoists dead in Bastar, Mr. Sharma also discussed recent security gains made through anti-naxal operations and opening new security camps in the interiors.

He highlighted how Pamed, a sensitive area, was now accessible from Bijapur via Tarrem and Kondapalli, by covering 90 kilometres unlike in the past when the travel would involve a detour via Telangana and involve a commute of 250 km. 

On the Bijapur encounter in which 26 alleged Maoists were killed on Thursday, Mr. Sharma said that they had gathered in remote forests for a Tactical Counter Offensive Campaign (TCOC) meeting when the forces struck. A police statement added that 14 of the 26 were women and 18 had been identified till Friday. The slain Maoists identified thus far include several commanders of the West Bastar division and all 18 were carrying rewards between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 8 lakh on their heads, said Superintendent of Police (Bijapur) Jitendra Yadav.