CG-ASSEMBLY

Will deal with Naxals by taking locals in confidence: CM

Raipur, Jan 10 (PTI)Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel

told the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Thursday that his

government will address the issues of Naxal menace and

imposition of liquor ban by taking people into confidence.

Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on the

Governor's address, Baghel said his government was working

to bring about a change, and not for exacting revenge.

"The state government will work to add colour to the

lives of people from every section of society. We are working

to bring change, not for revenge.

"Our government will work for solving the Naxal

problem and (imposing) liquor ban while taking people into

confidence," Baghel said.

To eliminate the Naxal problem, the Congress

government will hold talks with affected people including

villagers alongwith intellectuals and journalists, he said.

Liquor is a social evil, but to get rid of it, society

too has to come forward alongwith the government, Baghel said.

"We will not take any step on both anti-Naxal action

and liquor ban without taking people into confidence," he

added.

Within 20-25 days of coming to power, the Congress

government has taken several decisions to fulfil its poll

promises, he asserted.

The government waived loans worth Rs 6,100 crore of

16,50,000 farmers, decided to purchase paddy at Rs 2,500 per

quintal and increased the stipend of tendu leaves collectors

from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 per sack, he said.

It also decided to form a new committee to study

prospects for a liquor ban in the state, he added.

The working of district mineral funds (DMF) will be

reviewed while over 300 cases against chit fund company agents

will be withdrawn, the chief minister assured.

At the same time, the investors who lost money to chit

fund scams will get their hard-earned money back, Baghel

stressed.

The state government ordered return of 4,400 acres of

land, acquired for a Tata Steel Plant project, to 1,700

farmers in Lohandiguda area of Bastar district, he said.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik said

the Congress government won the election by making false

promises.

Its stand on Naxal menace, which the BJP government

had successfully contained, is not clear, Kaushik alleged.

After the discussion, the motion was passed with a

voice vote. After the completion of the listed business, the

House was adjourned till February 8.