Jagdalpur

Amit Shah on Monday inaugurated the first public service centre inside a security forces camp in Chhattisgarh, marking what officials described as the beginning of a new development-driven phase in the state following the end of decades of Left Wing Extremism.

The facility, named ‘Jan Suvidha Kendra’, has been established in Netanar in Bastar district and operates within the ‘Bravo’ company campus of the Central Reserve Police Force’s 80th battalion. The camp was originally set up in 2013 as an operational base for anti-Naxal operations.

Shah announced that 70 out of the 196 security camps located in formerly Left Wing Extremism-affected areas of the state will be transformed into ‘Seva Camps’ over the next one-and-a-half years. The initiative is part of what officials have termed the “Bastar 2.0” roadmap, aimed at converting security infrastructure into centres of public welfare and development to ensure extremism does not regain ground.

Speaking at the inauguration, Shah described the development as a historic moment for the region and said the transformed camps would bring government services directly to remote tribal communities. He also said the National Institute of Design has been tasked with designing a model for these service centres, which will combine public services with skill development and self-employment opportunities for local residents.

The minister added that a cooperative model focused on dairy production and minor forest produce would also be developed to strengthen livelihoods among tribal communities across the seven districts of the Bastar region.

Vishnu Deo Sai, who attended the event, said the initiative reflects a new era of development in Bastar following the end of nearly four decades of violent insurgency. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma was also present.

Officials said the Jan Suvidha Kendras will function like Common Service Centres, offering facilities such as Aadhaar updates, banking services, applications for income, caste and domicile certificates, ration card services, Ayushman Bharat cards, e-Shram registration, electricity bill payments, online applications, and transport ticket bookings.

The centres will also provide skill training in partnership with local self-help groups, aimed at generating livelihood opportunities in remote villages where access to government services has traditionally been limited.

Residents have already begun participating in training programmes. Local villager Pinki Naag said she started stitching training at the centre on May 13 and hopes to earn around Rs 6,000 per month through the new skill.

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According to official data, security forces in Chhattisgarh have, over the past two-and-a-half years, killed 536 Maoists, secured the surrender of 2,943 insurgents, and arrested 2,039 others, marking a major shift in a state once considered the country’s most severely Naxal-affected region.