Mining crucial for growth, jobs but way forward in Surguja after weighing pros and cons, says Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh's new CM Vishnu Deo Sai promises development & employment through industrialisation and mining, while tackling Naxalism and religious conversion.

Chhattisgarh's new Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said his government does not endorse the view that industrialisation and mining should not take place, insisting these activities are crucial for development and employment generation in the state as he expressed confidence about eliminating Naxalism.

Mr. Sai, a prominent tribal leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who took oath on December 13, maintained his government will take appropriate steps after analysing advantages and disadvantages of mining activities in regards with the state's bio-diversity rich Surguja region, which has witnessed protests by adivasis against coal mining at many places in the last several years.

In an interview to PTI, the CM said Naxalites have become frustrated after change of guard in Chhattisgarh and asserted the "double engine" government (a term used to mean BJP in power in the state and at the Centre) will fight against the menace resolutely and eliminate it.

The BJP stormed back to power in the state by ousting the Congress in the assembly polls held in November. Sai, the MLA from the Kunkuri (ST) constituency, is the first tribal CM from the saffron party which lost power to the Congress in 2018 after ruling the state since 2003.

The 59-year-old politician, a former Union minister, hails from the tribal-dominated Surguja division in north Chhattisgarh, where the BJP put up a stellar performance, clinching all 14 assembly seats.

Asked about the newly-elected government's stand on mining activities in Surguja where locals, particularly tribals, had been protesting against coal mining in the Hasdeo Arand forest region for the last several years, Mr. Sai said, "As far as mining is concerned, we will see it. We do not favour (view) that mining activities and industrialisation should not take place as such activities create employment opportunities." He said the ecologically-sensitive Surguja region offers immense opportunities in the tourism sector.

"The Surguja division has ample potential from the tourism point of view as the region is densely-forested and has multiple waterfalls. As CM, my effort will be to encourage tourism in the area. When mining takes place and industries are set up then it also causes loss along with yielding benefits as it causes pollution. So, after considering everything on the basis of merits and demerits appropriate steps will be taken (about mining)," he added.