CM Mohan Yadav Announces ₹225 Crore Plan for Balaghat Villages

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced a ₹225-crore development and livelihood initiative for 100 villages in Balaghat district, with a focus on areas that were previously affected by Naxalism.

Yadav made the announcement during his visit to Bondari village under the Jan-Vishwas Abhiyan, where he interacted directly with residents and reviewed the delivery of government schemes. He also made unscheduled stops at Korka and Devarbeli and spoke to villagers about their concerns and access to government benefits.

The initiative is aimed at shifting the focus in these areas towards infrastructure, employment and local livelihoods. The Chief Minister said the government's approach would be based on “security with development and development with employment.”

₹225 Crore For 100 Villages

The ₹225-crore initiative will cover 100 villages in Balaghat. The programme is designed to strengthen basic infrastructure while creating opportunities for employment and self-employment.

The proposed works will involve several departments, including Panchayat and Rural Development, Energy, Education, Industries, Women and Child Development, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Health, Horticulture, Tribal Affairs and Tourism.

The multi-department approach is intended to address both infrastructure gaps and livelihood requirements in remote rural areas.

Roads, Power And Water

Yadav said development in the targeted villages would focus on basic facilities such as roads, electricity, drinking water, education and healthcare.

The government has also outlined an approach that goes beyond physical infrastructure. The Chief Minister said roads should connect villages to markets, while villages should be connected with employment and young people with new opportunities.

Housing and other essential public services are also part of the broader development focus reported for the initiative.

Jobs And Local Livelihoods

Employment generation is a key component of the Balaghat plan. The government intends to promote MSMEs and local industries to create employment and self-employment opportunities for young people.

Agriculture and allied sectors, including dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, horticulture and food processing, will also be encouraged. These activities are aimed at increasing rural household incomes and creating livelihood opportunities closer to home.

Skill development and entrepreneurship programmes are also expected to help young people move beyond traditional employment options.

Women And Self-Help Groups

The initiative also places emphasis on women-led economic activities and self-help groups.

According to the reported plan, women associated with self-help groups will be encouraged to take up small enterprises and other income-generating activities. The wider objective is to strengthen household incomes through locally available resources and economic opportunities.

During the Chief Minister's visit, women in the area also tied a Rakhi on Yadav's wrist as part of the Raksha Bandhan celebrations.

Focus On Tribal Development

Balaghat has a significant tribal population, and the government has highlighted tribal development alongside the wider infrastructure programme.

Yadav also stressed the importance of connecting local resources, traditional knowledge and community-based livelihoods with economic opportunities. Reports on the visit said the Baiga community received particular attention in discussions around development, education and livelihood opportunities.

The plan also seeks to promote agriculture-linked activities and local products as potential sources of income for rural families.

Tourism And New Opportunities

Tourism is another area identified for development. Yadav highlighted Balaghat's natural resources and cultural heritage and said tourism, eco-tourism and tribal tourism could be developed as additional sources of employment.

The approach is intended to combine local economic activity with the region's natural and cultural strengths. It could also provide opportunities for rural communities beyond agriculture and conventional wage employment.

From Security To Development

The announcement comes as the state government seeks to consolidate development in villages that were previously affected by Naxal activity.

Yadav's visit to Bondari, along with his stops at Korka and Devarbeli, focused on direct interaction with residents and assessing the reach of government schemes. The ₹225-crore programme represents a broader push to strengthen infrastructure while connecting local communities with jobs, markets and livelihood opportunities.

The success of the initiative will depend on coordination among the departments involved and effective delivery of projects and schemes at the village level.