With developmental initiatives being speedily implemented in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district since last one year, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has expressed hope that Naxalism will be eliminated from the region at the earliest.
 
Speaking at a meeting organized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to review the issue of Left Wing Extremism, Mr. Shinde said the development of the rail network in the area, especially the border areas with Telangana and Chhattisgarh will prove to be beneficial in the long run.
 
Mr. Shinde said an independent body to keep a check on urban naxalism being spread through social media is the need of the hour. He also urged the Union Home Minister to consider forming a special team of ED, IT and Financial Intelligence Unit officials to investigate the flow of crores of rupees to naxalites.
 
Talking about the welfare measures taken to develop Gadchiroli and rid it of Naxalism, Mr. Shinde said close to 883 crore rupees have been spent on construction of roads, bridges, mobile connectivity has been expanded, three Eklavya model schools have been opened while four others are under construction.
 
The Chief Minister further said that close to 61 crore rupees is being spent to increase policing by setting up a special task force, special intelligence bureau, and fortified police stations. Besides, initiatives like ‘Government at Your Doorstep’, through which 29 thousand beneficiaries have already received benefits under various government schemes, have increased people’s confidence in government.
 
Mr. Shinde said various multinational companies have expressed interest in investing in Gadchiroli’s mining sector which will lead to employment generation and development. Thanking the Centre for granting 57.50 crore rupees for infrastructure development, Mr. Shinde expressed hope that all round efforts will be made to uproot Naxalism from its bud in the next two years.