Poverty-hit Sukma dist rewrites growth story

Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, once notorious for malnutrition, illiteracy and Naxalite violence, has undergone a great transformation in just two-and-a-half years.

Since taking power, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had made the development of Sukma one of his priorities, an official communication said on Friday.

The development strategy of the district was redesigned taking into account the aspirations of the locals, their needs, problems and challenges.

Now the villagers have access to education and medical facilities. While malnutrition has fallen, education and health facilities have significantly improved.

Schools which had been shut down in rural areas are functional again.

Before 2006, a total of 275 primary and 66 secondary schools were operated under the development block but many schools were damaged by Naxalites. As a result, 102 primary and 21 secondary schools had to be closed or shifted.

These schools resumed operation in 2018-19.

The government has sanctioned construction of 60 school buildings and 34 additional rooms. Construction of 22 of buildings has been completed.

Also, 36 new Anganbadi centers are being operated in the interior areas of the district.

Health workers have improved considerably. In 2018, only 1303 Mitanins were serving, now the number is 1.446. In 2018, 70.3 percent deliveries were done in hospitals and medical centers. This figure rose to 91.6 percent in 2020-21.