The Centre is going to set up 400 new BSNL towers in Naxalite-hit and inaccessible regions of Chhattisgarh to improve digital communication, Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on Sunday. He said that the work will be done in phases once necessary clearances from security agencies and the forest department are received.
The Minister of State for Rural Development and Telecom addressed the high-level review meeting in Raipur, which was attended by senior officials from various departments and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, according to an official release. "BSNL is now providing class 4G services across the country, and with this roll-out, we are accomplishing the mission of taking the last village of the country digitally," Pemmasani said.
He also emphasised that the government is developing LWE-affected regions in a 'mission mode'. He explained that the government is devising a plan to provide services at the doorstep in these areas.
The measures of development included the digitisation of schools, which will help students prepare well for competitive examinations like JEE and NEET, and providing special facilities to differently-abled students under a sensitive and inclusive program.
"The Central government is preparing a proposal to set up 400 new BSNL towers in the Naxal-affected and remote regions of Chhattisgarh to augment digital communication," the minister further said.
Pemmasani announced that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, Union government welfare schemes are reaching the last person in the queue.
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"Faster development and change are now being witnessed in backward, tribal, and remote regions as well," he further added. The minister stressed that the government is willing to consolidate digital, physical, and social infrastructure to take the vision of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' to the grassroots level.
In the meeting, the minister was pleased with the speedy and efficient roll-out of flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Chhattisgarh.
He added that these programmes are making major differences to rural infrastructure and housing.
The minister also welcomed the contribution of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) while welcoming schemes such as the 'Pink Auto' scheme in empowering women to be self-reliant, which could be made a model for other states.
"The SHGs are being attached with different schemes for imparting them financial support, training, and marketing. This is making women self-reliant and providing more opportunities for self-employment," he further said.
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