1. Building a New Bastar

(Source: Editorial Page, The Indian Express)

Topic: GS2: Welfare Schemes and Inclusive Governance; GS3: Inclusive Growth and Left-Wing Extremism

Context

Bastar, a region in southern Chhattisgarh historically plagued by Maoist insurgency and underdevelopment, is undergoing transformative change through government-led welfare programs. These programs aim not only to address economic deprivation but also to restore dignity and agency to tribal communities.

Bastar’s Historical Challenges

• Once the epicenter of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), Bastar was characterized by chronic poverty, administrative vacuum, low connectivity, and armed conflict.

• Development had largely bypassed the region, leading to severe alienation and distrust between the state and the people.

• Government presence was historically limited to security forces, which deepened the perception of the state as a repressive force rather than an enabling one.

Government Interventions and Welfare-Led Development

• A new approach focuses on participatory welfare, rooted in restoring “dignity before development.”

• Programs include market access for minor forest produce (MFP), livelihood generation, tribal entrepreneurship, and decentralised service delivery.

• These schemes have shifted Bastar’s economic model from subsidy-dependence to dignity-based livelihoods.

• Improved road and telecom connectivity, digital infrastructure, and mobile governance have played a catalytic role.

Empowerment and Agency

• Welfare is not just about cash transfers or food security—it is about autonomy.

• Tribal producers are now active market participants, gaining bargaining power and entrepreneurial status.

• Examples include tribal-led SHGs (self-help groups), digital payments for MFP, and access to formal credit mechanisms.

Security-Development Linkage

• Economic mainstreaming is reducing alienation and eroding insurgency recruitment bases.

• Reduced violence in many parts of Bastar is a testament to the success of development as a counter-insurgency tool.

Limitations and Challenges

• Issues remain in ensuring last-mile delivery, maintaining transparency, and preventing elite capture.

• Cultural sensitivity, tribal land rights, and environmental sustainability must remain central.

Conclusion / Way Forward –

• Bastar’s transformation underscores the power of welfare programs designed around dignity, rights, and livelihoods. India must replicate such inclusive models across all conflict-prone and backward regions to truly achieve grassroots development. This approach shows that governance built on trust and empowerment is the best antidote to insurgency.

Practice Question: Discuss how welfare-oriented governance and inclusive development can help counter left-wing extremism in India. Illustrate with examples from the Bastar region.  (GS2 – 10 marks)

 

Read more – 24 May 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis