Extending Governance into Maoist Strongholds: The Bastar Model
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Internal Security (Left-Wing Extremism - LWE, Maoism, Abujhmad), Governance (Government Schemes - Niyad Nellanar, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - PMAY, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme - MGNREGS), Polity.
Mains:
GS Paper 3: Linkages between development and spread of extremism; Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security; Security challenges and their management in border areas.
GS Paper 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key Highlights from the News
The government is trying to extend its administration to remote villages in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, like the Abujhmad forests, which were formerly under Maoist control.
To achieve this, security camps are being established, followed by the construction of roads and the delivery of welfare schemes.
The Chhattisgarh government's 'Niyad Nellanar' scheme aims to provide basic infrastructure and welfare schemes within a 10 km radius of new security camps.
However, extending administration to these areas faces numerous challenges, including difficult terrain, high construction costs, lack of skilled labor, and poor electricity and telecom connectivity.
There are also practical difficulties in the last-mile delivery of welfare schemes. For example, villagers often have to spend a significant amount on travel to collect financial aid.
With reduced fear of Maoists, villagers are now coming forward to seek services from the government and employment under schemes like MGNREGS.
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