Bastar tribals' now promised a cow and a buffalo, Amit Shah
Union Minister promises dairy support for tribal families in Bastar
Jagdalpur | Correspondent: Every tribal family in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh has been promised a cow and a buffalo by the Union Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Jagdalpur.
For the first time, the 26th meeting of the Central Zonal Council was held in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
Speaking at the press conference in Jagdalpur, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asserted that the government has achieved its objective of eradicating Naxalism ahead of the March 31, 2026, deadline.
Amit Shah stated that the previous Congress government in Chhattisgarh did not cooperate in the anti-Naxal operations.
He further informed that approximately one-third of the 70 security camps established in Bastar, following the decline of Naxal influence, would be developed into 'Veer Shaheed Gunadhur Seva Deras' (Service Centers)
Shah also made a major announcement regarding the economic empowerment of tribal families. He stated that every tribal woman in Bastar would be integrated into Animal Husbandry activities, and there is a plan to provide each tribal family with one cow and one buffalo. He further asserted that a robust diary network would be established in Bastar within the next six months.
Presided over by Home Minister, the meeting was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Alongside development schemes, the meeting also featured discussions on issues related to law and order and social security. Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring swift action and strict measures in cases involving crimes against women, such as harassment and sexual assault.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, Congress workers, led by State Congress President Deepak Baij, sought to discuss issues concerning Bastar with Amit Shah; however, the administration prevented them from proceeding. Following this incident, Deepak Baij dismissed the Central Zonal Council meeting as a mere formality.
Baij alleged that the preparations are underway to hand over Bastar's natural resources, specifically its water, forests, and land, to industrialists for their own benefit.
He alleged that the government is planning to sell off the region's mineral resources in the name of Bastar's development. For this very reason, the BJP leadership is avoiding consultations with the opposition.
Commenting on the meeting, Deepak Baij also took a jibe, pointing out that since modern facilities such as video conferencing are already available in the secretariats of both the Centre and the states, this meeting could have easily been conducted virtually. He stated that while, on one hand, the Prime Minister advocates for saving petrol and diesel and encourages 'work from home,' on the other hand, his own ministers and Chief Ministers are failing to adhere to these principles.
