Investmenrt Opportunities in Chhattisgarh

INDEX

Chapter # 01 CHHATTISGARH: The Fast Track State Page Nos.

1.1 An Introduction 1-2

1.2 Unique Features - At A Glance 3-4

1.3 Unique Features 5

1.4 Creation Of Chhattisgarh 6-7

1.5 Chhattisgarh Map 8

1.6 How To Get There 9

1.7 Infrastructure: New Dimension 10-12

1.8 Economy 13

Chapter # 02 RESOURCE RICH STATE Page Nos.

2.1 Human Resources 14-18

2.2 Agriculture - The Bowl Grain Of India 19-21

2.3 Forest Resources - Under The Nature’s Green Canopy

22-24

2.4 Mining - The Future 25-28

2.5 Chhattisgarh Tourism 29-35

2.6 Herbal State 36-38

2.7 Arts & Crafts – Art Of The Matter 39-49

2.8 Fairs And Festivals 50-53

2.9 Power Hub 54-58

1

Chapter # 03 INDUSTRIAL POLICY (2004-2009) 59-68

3.1 Highlights of The Industrial Policy 04-09 69

3.2 Industrial Parks 70-74

3.3 Growth Centres 75-76

3.4 Government Initiatives 77-78

Chapter # 04 WHY CHHATTISGARH? Page Nos.

4.1 Existing Industries 79

4.2 Strengths and Opportunities 80

4.3 Potential Areas For Investment 81

Chapter # 05 INTERVIEWS Page Nos.

5.1 Interview of The Chief MinisterDr. Raman Singh

82-84

5.2 Interview of Tourism MinisterBrijmohan Aggarwal

85-86

CONCLUSION 87

BIBLOGRAPHY 88

2

CHAPTER # 01

CHHATTISGARH – The Fast Track State

3

1. CHHATTISGARH: The Fast Track State

1.1 AN INTRODUCTION

India’s youngest and fastest growing state, Chattisgarh came into being on November

1, 2000. Carved out of Madhya Pradesh, this 21st century state is fortunate to have a low

population density. Good Governance is the highest priority in this fast- track state which has

both policy as well as political stability. The government has been kept small and the state is

in excellent fiscal health. Chhattisgarh has an area of about 1,35,153 sq.km encompassing

sixteen districts. It is surrounded by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand,

Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Chattisgarh is truly a land of opportunities. With all major minerals including diamonds

in abundance, it is the richest state in mineral resources. There are mega industries in steel,

aluminium and cement. The state also contributes substantially to India’s human resources.

Several hundreds students from the state qualify for admissions in prestigious national

academic institutions every year. Bhilai, the knowledge capital of the state, alone sends over

50 students to the elite Indian institutes of Technology (IIT) every year. A unique Private

universities Act has been passed to attract investments in quality higher education.

The state has a large power surplus that is attracting many power- intensive industries.

Its central location helps easy power transmission and evacuation to any part of the country.

The State is not only self- sufficient in power, but also exports to other states. It ranks high in

terms of good industrial relations and labour productivity.

There has been no labour instability in either Bhilai or Korba, the power capital, for

several decades. Twelve percent of India’s forests are in Chhattisgarh, and 44 percent of the

State’s land is under forests. Identified as one of the richest bio- diversity habitats, the Green

state of Chhattisgarh has the densest forests in India, rich wildlife and above all, over 200

non- timber forest products, with tremendous potential for value addition.

Bhilai, with its cosmopolitan lifestyle, is just 30 kilometres from Raipur the State

Capital, Raipur is at the center of the rail and road routes between India’s financial capital

Mumbai and eastern metro of Kolkata.

It is also well connected to the national capital New Delhi and the southern metros of

Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

4

Bilaspur’s Railway Zone is the most profitable, contributing 17 percent of the revenues

of the Indian railways.

One third of Chhatisgarh’s population is of tribes, mostly in the thickly forested areas in

the North and the South. The Central plains of Chhattisgarh are known as the “Rice Bowl” of

Central India. Bastar is known the world over for its unique and distinctive tribal heritage.

Chhattisgarh has many virgin, unexplored tourism destinations. Above all, the State’s biggest

asset is its 20 million people. They are friendly, open, warm and industrious. Chhattisgarh

has an enviable record of social harmony, public order and friendly industrial relations.

Though Chhattisgarh with an area of 135,194 square kilometers accounts for only 30

per cent of the total area of Chhattisgarh, it is still a considerable size, which is equivalent to

almost sixteen times the size of Kerala. The demand for the new state can be traced to a

meeting of the Raipur district Congress in 1924 when the idea of a separate entity of

Chhattisgarh was thought of. The leaders who took part in that meeting were of the view that

the region of Chhattisgarh was culturally and historically distinct from the rest of Madhya

Pradesh.

Bastar, Bilaspur, Dantewara, Dhamtari, Durg, Janjgir, Jashpur, Kanker, Kavardha,

Korba, Mahasamund, Raigarh, Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Sarguja and West Sarguja are the

sixteen districts of Chhattisgarh. 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture which is one

crop a year. Known as the Rice Bowl of India, the region of Chhattisgarh supplies food grain

to 600 rice mills. Chhattisgarh is generally perceived as a tribal dominated state.

The focus of Chhattisgarh is on two areas – good governance and good

infrastructure. If the state can provide these two the rest will follow.

5

1.2 UNIQUE FEATURES - AT A GLANCE

Area 1,35,361 square kilometres (9th largest state in India)

Airport Raipur (Night Landing facilities)

Airstrips Bhilai, Bilaspur, Korba, Raigarh, Jadgalpur, Ambikapur,

Jashpurnagar and Sarangarh

Climate Tropical with hot summers and cool winters

Formed November 1, 2000

Forest Area 44 percent. There are three national parks and 11 wild life

sanctuaries in the state.

GDP Rs. 295 billion in 2003-04 ($6.23 billion)

High Court Bilaspur

Location

Central India, surrounded by six states – Andhra Pradesh,

Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and

Orissa.

Literacy Rate 65.18% (India’s: 65.38%)

Labour Court &

industrial Disputes

Tribunal

Raipur

Number of Districts 16

Number of Towns 97

Number of Villages 20,796

National Highways Eleven National Highways (2,225 kms). Good internal road

network in the State.

Population 20,795,956 (2001 Census)

Population Density 154 persons per square kilometres (India’s average: 350)

Rivers Mahanadi is the main river, with Shivnath, Hasdeo, Kelo,

Arpa as tributaries, Indrawati is another major river.

Road Length 36,324 kilometres

6

Rail Length 1,108 kilometres

State Capital Raipur

1.3 UNIQUE FEATURES

7

Richest State in mineral resources.

With unique bio – diversity, richest store – house of medicinal, aromatic and dye

plant.

Ranked third in 2004 and fourth in 2003 in attracting investment proposals (all

India)

Surplus energy generation. One of the few states in India having uninterrupted,

quality power supply.

Highest freight loading zone in India, contributing one sixth of total revenues of

Indian Railways.

Guarantees quick industrial approval backed by legislation, through the State

Investment Promotion Board chaired by the Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh.

8

1.4 CREATION OF CHHATTISGARH

The Congress Government of Madhya Pradesh took the first institutional and legislative

initiative for the creation of Chhattisgarh. On the 18 of March 1994, a resolution demanding

a separate Chhattisgarh was tabled and unanimously approved by the Madhya Pradesh

Vidhan Sabha. Both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janta Party supported the resolution. The

election manifestos of the Congress and the BJP for both the 1998 and the 1999

parliamentary elections as well as the Madhya Pradesh assembly election of 1998 included

the demand for creation of separate Chhattisgarh.

In 1998, the BJP led Union Government drafted a bill for the creation of a separate state

of Chhattisgarh from sixteen districts of Madhya Pradesh. This draft bill was sent to the

Madhya Pradesh assembly for approval. It was unanimously approved in 1998, although with

certain modifications. The union government did not survive and fresh elections were

declared. The new National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government sent the redrafted

Separate Chhattisgarh Bill for the approval of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, where it was

once again unanimously approved and then it was tabled in the Lok Sabha. This bill for a

separate Chhattisgarh was passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, paving the way for

the creation of a separate state of Chhattisgarh.

The President of India gave his consent to The Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act

2000 on the 25 of August 2000. The Government of India subsequently set the First day of

November 2000 as the day on which the state of Madhya Pradesh would be bifurcated into

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Many political observers have commented on the

relatively peaceful manner in which the Chhattisgarh state has been created.

There is no single factor responsible for the creation of Chhattisgarh. It is in fact a

complex interplay of a combination of factors that paved the path for a separate state. The

long standing demand and the movement for Uttarakhand and Jharkhand which led to the

acceptance of separate states for these two regions, created a sensitive environment for the

Prithak Chhattisgarh demand. Therefore, the creation of Chhattisgarh coincided with the

creation of these two states and became a concurrent process.

9

Another important factor leading to the creation of Chhattisgarh was that there was

clear acceptance, within Chhattisgarh and outside that Chhattisgarh had a distinct socio-

cultural regional identity that had evolved over centuries. A consensus had evolved and

emerged on the distinctiveness of Chhattisgarh. The people of Chhattisgarh accepted this and

saw Prithak Chhattisgarh as giving expression to this identity.

A sense of relative deprivation had also developed in the region and people felt that a

separate state was imperative for development to take place in the region. In a democratic

polity, the people's demand has a high degree of authenticity and weight. Therefore the

people's demand voiced through democratic channels was heard and contributed immensely

to the creation of Chhattisgarh.

The consensus regarding the distinctiveness of Chhattisgarh did not remain limited to

its socio-cultural identity. All over Madhya Pradesh, the consensus on a need for separate

Chhattisgarh was also carefully developed. This consensus cuts across geographical regions

castes, classes and political parties. A strong reflection of this consensus was evident in the

unanimous passing of the Chhattisgarh bill in the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha.

10

1.5 CHHATTISGARH MAP

11

1.6 HOW TO GET THERE

By Road: The roads are excellent. There are express luxury buses linking Raipur. Jagdalpur,

the district headquarters is 250 kms away from Bhadrachalam in the South; 300 kms from

Visakhapatnam on the East; and 300 kms from Raipur in the North. All these roads pass

through delightful forests. Taxis (Sumo/Qualis or any other luxury car) can be hired directly

at the airport or at Jagdalpur at around Rs.7 per km.

By Rail: Raipur lies on the main route between Mumbai and Kolkata, daily direct trains

connecting Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Direct trains to many cities – Ahmedabad,

Allahabad, Varanasi, Bangalore, Cochin, Pune and Hyderabad. Jagdalpur is linked to

Visakhapatnam by a Broad-Gauge (BG) electrified railway. A passenger train operates, often

with a chair – car coach. The 9 hour ride passes through breath – taking ghats. Araku and

Semiliguda, the biggest BG station of the Indian Railways, fall on this route. Almost 1.5 kms

long iron ore trains pulled by a combination of three powerful electric engines afford a

memorable sight.

By Air: Daily 90 minutes flights from Mumbai and Delhi, Regular flight connections with

Chennai, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneshwar. The nearest airport on the North is

Raipur and on the East is Visakhapatnam.

12

1.7 INFRASTRUCTURE: NEW DIMENSION

Road Network: Chhattisgarh’s road network has seen dramatic improvement over the last

few years. From three national highways in 1998, the state has 11 national highways in 2004,

totaling 2,225 kilometres. To supplement this, the State Government is building two North–

South and four East–West high speed road corridors. The Asian Development Bank (ADB)

has extended a $200 million credit for highway development, while the government has spent

over Rs.20 billion ($425.5 million) since 2001 on road up gradation. Private-Public

partnership in roads is also being pursued. The state has a vision to convert all national

highways into a network of four lane roads and connect all villages with all – weather roads

by 2010.

On Track: Bilaspur is the headquarters of the new South – Eastern Central Railway zone.

Railways form an important aspect of Chhattisgarh’s transport network as they serve to

transport large quantities of coal, iron ore and other minerals within and outside the state. A

proposed North – South railway network will help to transfer minerals. The State has the

highest freight loading in the country and one-sixth of the revenues of Indian railways comes

from Chhattisgarh. The length of the rail network is 1,108 kms.

Air Links: Raipur is linked by air with daily 90 minutes flights from New Delhi and

Mumbai. Chennai, Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar and Vizag also have regular air connections. In

line with its vision, business and commercial activity is expected to increase manifold,

necessitating a good air network. The state currently has one airport at Raipur with night

landing facility and airstrips at Bhilai, Bilaspur, Korba, Raigarh, Ambikapur, Jashpurnagar

and Sarangarh. The government also intends to upgrade Mana airport in Raigarh into an

international airport.

Energized State: A power surplus state, Chhattisgarh is building on its strengths in the area

of electricity generation to become a competitively- priced source of energy for other states.

13

The abundance of coal reserves, which ensures constant supply of raw materials for future

thermal units, is the state’s major strength.

The government stately includes inviting other states and corporates to set up power

generation units in Chhattisgarh by leasing coalmines to create employment. It is

encouraging power producers to set up power projects for future needs of the state. Unlike

other states, Chhattisgarh’s State Electricity Board is well managed. It also has competitive

and stable electricity tariffs.

Communication Backbone: Chhattisgarh is working with the center in the State. Steps are

being taken to create Information Technology (IT) services. Specific areas are being

identified to develop them as IT cities, based on an assessment of existing infrastructure and

the potential for growth. Satellite communications technology is being tapped to improve

connectivity. There are three companies that provide basis telephony services in the state –

the state owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as well as the private sector

Touchtel and Reliance. In addition to BSNL, Airtel, Idea Cellular and Reliance also provide

mobile telephony services. Chhattisgarh also has 3,492 kms of optic fibre cables and the

government in addition to private sector initiatives is implementing IT schemes worth over $

10 million.

Satellite communications technology is being taped to improve connectivity. The State

is promoting the establishment of a bradband digital network by using the transmission and

distribution networks of existing electricity utilities.

14

The huge potential of Information Technology (IT) - today finds applications in all

aspects of development and governance

The potential of IT as an Industry is best exemplified in the estimated revenue potential

from IT and its related services. In India, it is expected to be around US$ 17-18 billion by

2008, with the industry providing employment to more than 1 million people

E-governance and E-commerce have emerged as two crucial drivers of IT for the next

decade. E-governance gives citizens the choice of when and where they access government

information and services, thereby creating a government-community-citizen infrastructure.

E-commerce deals with the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet and

has benefits for both business and consumers alike.

The Government of India has recognized IT as the thrust sector for the growth and

development of the country and has therefore, formulated policies and incentives for its

advancement. Many Indian States like Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc., have successfully

adopted IT in government transactions, education, business, agriculture, social development,

etc.

The Government of Chhattisgarh has recently taken steps to promote the use of IT in the

State. However, there is a long way to go in order to harness the true potential of Information

Technology. In order to do so, the government needs to begin by formulating an IT policy

which will attract growth and investment in the Industry

15

1.8 ECONOMY

The mineral rich State is economically very poor. It will have to depend on the

neighbouring states of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Agriculturally it is a very productive area.

Called the country's Rice Bowl, it supplies foodgrain to almost 600 rice mills. With

substantial deposits of limestone, iron-ore, copper ore, rock phosphate, manganese ore,

bauxite, coal, asbestos and mica, Chhattisgarh is one of the mineral rich State of India.

Chhattisgarh contains about 525 million tonnes of dolomite reserves, accounting for 24 per

cent of the country's share.

It has healthy bauxite reserves of an estimated 73 million tonnes, impressive reserves of

iron ore at about 2,000 million tonnes and coal at 29,000 million tonnes. Tin ore reserves

exceed 27,000 million tonnes. The mineral revenue that will accrue to Chhattisgarh will

exceed Rs 600 crore annually. Deobogh in Raipur district contains deposits of diamonds.

Prospecting of diamonds has begun here and when extraction starts in about two years' time,

it is expected to generate an additional RS 2,000 crore a year for the state. Chhattisgarh also

accounts for more than 70 per cent of India's total production of tendu leaves that are used for

making bidis.

But despite the high levels of productivity with natural and mineral resources,

Chhattisgarh has remained backward because the money earned is not ploughed back into the

region. Poverty pervades the 16 districts comprising the region. As a result, the region has for

long nursed a grudge against the rest of Madhya Pradesh which has treated Chhattisgarh like

a colony.

16

CHAPTER # 02

RESOURCE RICH

STATE

17

2. RESOURCE RICH STATE

2.1 HUMAN RESOURCES

The State also has one of the highest sex or gender ratios in India, indicating better conditions

for women as compared to other States in India. Education forms the backbone for social and

economic development and the State has shown a healthy improvement in its literacy rates

during the last decade.

LITERACY: Chhattisgarh’s human resources, at varying skill levels, are the key to the

State’s future and prosperity. The Government of Chhattisgarh is aware that human

resources, at varying skill levels, would be a key to the State’s prosperity. The people of

Chhattisgarh are well known for their sincerity and hard work and are eager to make a

name for themselves in brick and mortar as well as knowledge based industries. The

State Government has taken several decisions for developing the State’s human resources.

Primary and Secondary education is the major focus, and English is taught in schools from

class I.

Expansion of small scale and village industries based on agriculture, forest and mineral

resources is being taken up to add value to produce and to generate employment. The State

has also laid stress on vocational and employment – oriented education. The state

government believes that if it can empower its human resources it can realize its potentials

i.e. it can utilize the resources available only if has the apt manpower. Towards this the first

step that the state government has taken is to raise the level of literacy, from the present 42.9

percent. Government also gives priority to raising the level of women’s literacy in both urban

and rural areas, particularly among the vulnerable sections of the society. The expansion of

small scale and village industries based on agricultural, forest and mineral resources would

18

also be taken up to add value to produce and to generate employment. The government

emphasis on the use of IT enabled education and employment-oriented education.

According to the census of 1991, literacy the most basic indicator of education was

42.9 percent. Female literacy is very low at 27.5 percent, especially rural female literacy,

which is at 21 percent. The low level of literacy, especially amongst women, Scheduled

Castes and Scheduled Tribes is a cause for concern.

Literacy in Chhattisgarh in 1991

AREA ALL MALE FEMALE

Chhattisgarh 42.9 % 58.1 % 27.5 %

Rural36.7 % 52.4 % 21.0 %

Urban71.4 %

82.7 % 58.9 %

The low level of literacy, especially amongst women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled

Tribes is a cause for concern. The literacy rate amongst the Scheduled Tribes was 39 percent

in 1991 and 27 percent amongst the scheduled tribes.

TRIBAL LIFE: Bastar is perhaps, one of the latest and the most beautiful bastions of the

adivasi way of life left in the country. The adivasis comprise almost three-fourths of Bastar’s

population, each with their own indigenous gods, customs, foods, dialects and ways of

dealing with the world around them. The largest adivasi group are the Gonds, among whom

19

there are several subdivisions such as the Marias, Murias, Dorla, Abhujhmarhias and

Dhurwa. The Murias of North Bastar are agriculturists.

The Anthropological Museum on the outskirts of Jagdalpur showcases various aspects of

tribal life. Halba is considered the best caste among the residents of Bastar. They are neat and

tidy as compared to others. They have a fighting spirit and intelligent in bows, arrows and

herbs. They do the job of village doctor.

Mostly hunters-gatherers, the Abhujhmarhias, said to be the oldest adivasi community

of India, live in splendid isolation in the dense forests of the Abhujhmarh hills. They

congregate every Sunday in a haat at Narayanpur to sell their grass ropes, bamboo items,

brooms made of fulbahari grass and forest produce such as chironji, resin, silk cocoons, etc.

and to their weekly shopping.

Local recounts how pravir krishn once the collector in Bastar, saw a clueless

Abhujhmarhias measure out a paili (1kg measure) of chironji seeds painstakingly collected

from the forest (actual cost rs.125 per kg) and unknowlingly barter it for a kilogram of salt.

The open exploitation made him so angry that he produced a small, but priceless, booklet,

called van-dhan, with indicative prices so that the adivasis are not robbed in broad daylight

by the middleman who would wait like vultures to grab their produce and offer them instant

loans, which the adivasi could never repay.

DRESSING OF THE ADIVASIS: In earlier times, people used to wear chettris and sonas

(rain hat and rain coat made of dried sal leaves), and walk to the haat in the rain. Now

everyone has cycles, torches and umbrellas. Their absorbent cotton sarees have been replaced

for mill printed nylon ones. Their beautiful combs, hand carved with birds and deers, are

often replaced by plastic ones.

EDUCATION:

The Ramakrishna- mission run school for Abhujhmarhia children in Narayanpur takes your

breath away. Little children straight out of the forest, all neatly dressed, learning alphabets,

singing rhymes, and full of promise. One 14 year old girl wants to be a nurse, another news

reader, teacher, one wants to join the army. Their results are top-class. They learn computers.

A large number of students are studying engineering in Bhilai. All around you, you see

young adivasis finding the courage to dream dreams and achieve them.

20

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE:

Social infrastructure refers to the facilities and mechanisms that ensure education, health

care, community development, income distribution, employment and social welfare. The

economy cannot be looked at in isolation without considering the basic needs of the people,

and a significant level of investment is needed in this sector. The State also has one of the

highest sex or gender ratios in India, indicating better conditions for women as compared to

other States in India. Education forms the backbone for social and economic development

and the State has shown a healthy improvement in its literacy rates during the last decade.

Human development and improvement in the quality of life is the ultimate objective of all

planning programmes leading to higher economic and social development. There exists a

very strong linkage between attaining economic prosperity and enriching the quality of life,

which is reflected in the social indicators of health, longevity, literacy and environmental

sustainability. These indicators serve as valuable inputs for developing suitable policy

initiatives. Social infrastructure includes facilities and measures for providing education,

health care, community development, equitable income distribution, employment and social

welfare. The concept of social infrastructure is very broad and covers various aspects of

Government service delivery. The cost of delivering social benefits is very high and

constitutes a major proportion of the State budget. Major social policy concerns of the

Government include the provision of infrastructure services, fostering Government and

community partnerships, community capacity building, integrated service delivery and social

justice.

The aim of social and economic development in a State is to improve the quality of

living standards of the people. This is also a sector where involvement of the private sector

has been limited.

To ensure substantial progress in the Government’s efforts in promoting equality for

all, the Government needs to focus on the following aspects:

Providing basic human needs (including primary health care, basic education, family

planning, nutrition, water and sanitation, and shelter).

Promoting participation of women in development and ensuring gender equality.

21

Improved delivery of infrastructure services with emphasis on the poor and building their

capacity for sustenance.

Safe-guarding human rights and providing good governance.

Seeking private sector participation in development of areas like tertiary education.

Building a clean and healthy environment.

The Human Development Index (HDI) has become an important index for measuring the

progress of States in terms of the level and depth of human development of its citizens. HDI

is a composite index of three main components of human development:

Knowledge, which is measured by literacy and children’s enrolment in schools.

Longevity, measured by expectancy of life at birth; and

Access to resources to lead a reasonable quality of life, measured by an adjusted per capita

income. HDI offers an alternative to Gross Domestic Product for measuring the relative

socio-economic progress at the National, State and District level.

CONCLUSION:

Human development and improvement in the quality of life is the ultimate objective of all

planning programmes leading to higher economic and social development. There exists a

very strong linkage between attaining economic prosperity and enriching the quality of life.

The State Government plays a pivotal role in providing the basic minimum requirements of

the people. The Scheduled Tribes are concentrated in the southern, the northern and the

north-eastern districts. The highest concentration is in the erstwhile Bastar district. The new

district of Dantewara has 79 percent tribals followed by Bastar (67 per cent) Jashpur (65 per

cent), Surguja (57 per cent) and Kanker (56 per cent). Investment in education, especially

technical education, has been identified by the World Bank as one of the most

important reasons for the dramatic economic growth witnessed in East Asian

Economies.

22

2.2 AGRICULTURE - THE BOWL GRAIN OF INDIA

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION : Chhattisgarh is known as the “Rice Bowl” of

Central India. Most of the State is still a mono–belt and a substantial portion of the

population is dependent on agriculture. There is enormous scope for growing cash crops and

this is an opportunity for the investors.

FARM FACTS:

Principal crop Paddy. There are some 400 varieties of rice grown in the

state and some of them are being exported.

Other crops

Wheat, Maize, Corn, Gram, Barley, Groundnut, Linseed,

Mustard, Soyabean, Sugarcane, Sunflower, Spices, Fruits

and Vegetables.

Area under Cultivation 48,00,000 hectares

Gross Irrigated Area 12,27,000 hectares

Perennial River Mahanadi and its tributaries provide water all the year round.

Irrigation Potential 75% of the State’s cultivable area can be brought under

irrigation

Agriculture Potential

Excellent Scope for cultivation of commercial crops and

herbal plantation, utilizing low cost land and locally

available manpower.

Chhattisgarh used to produce over seventy percent of the total paddy production in

Madhya Pradesh. Apart from paddy, cereals like maize, kodo-kutki and other small millets,

23

pulses like tur and kulthi and oilseeds like groundnut, Soyabean, Niger and sunflower are

also grown. Chhattisgarh produced nearly half of all food grains, and one third of all major

crops grown in the undivided Madhya Pradesh during the kharif season. The main Rabi crops

of Chhattisgarh are jowar, gram, urad, moong and moth. Chhattisgarh produces 45 percent of

the jowar and over eighty percent of the gram that was produced in undivided Madhya

Pradesh. Chhattisgarh produces very little wheat. In pulses, a quarter of all produce in

Madhya Pradesh during the Rabi season came from Chhattisgarh.

About 80 percent of the population in the state is engaged in agriculture and 43 percent

of the entire arable land is under cultivation. Paddy is the principal crop and the central plains

of Chhattisgarh are known as rice bowl of central India. Other major crops are coarse grains,

wheat, maize, groundnut, pulses and oilseeds. The region is also suitable for growing mango,

banana, guava & other fruits and a variety of vegetables   with 44 percent of its area under

forests it has one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country. It has abundant minor forest

produce like Tendu leaves, Sal seed, etc. Medicinal plants, bamboo, lac and honey are other

potential money earners for the state. Chhattisgarh has embarked on a rigorous plan to

increase double cropped areas, diversify the cropping pattern and improve incomes from

agro-based small-scale enterprises.

Agriculture is the main activity for the population of 1,76,00,000 of this landlocked

state enveloped by Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and of

course Madhya Pradesh. 80% of the population is engaged in agriculture which is one crop a

year. Known as the Rice Bowl of India, the region of Chhattisgarh supplies food grain to 600

rice mills.

IRRIGATION:

24

The level of irrigation in Chhattisgarh is fairly low. Irrigated area is just about one fifth of the

total cultivated area in Chhattisgarh. The net irrigated area by net sown area fluctuates from

46 percent for Raipur in recent years to seven percent for Raigarh, five percent for Surguja

and three percent for Bastar. The main source of irrigation is canals, which provide for three

fourths of all irrigation, eight percent of the irrigation is done by tube wells, six percent by

tanks and four to five percent by wells. This also fluctuates between districts.

In order to unlock the true potential of agriculture sector in the state, government is

paying special attention towards better management of its water resources. To reduce the

farmers’ dependence on rainfall, government is working towards increasing the irrigation

potential of the state. It is estimated that approximately 43 lakh hectares can be potentially

irrigated covering 75 percent of the entire cropped area in the state. Ravi Shankar Sagar

Mahanadi project, Hasdeo-Bango, Kodar and others are some of the important irrigation

projects in the state.

Farmers of Chhattisgarh are used to cultivate mostly paddy in kharif season with an intention

to grow summer paddy too, whenever irrigation sources available. As a second crop after

paddy, majority of farmers prefer to grow gram, mustard, linseed, lathy  which provide less

profit as compared to horticulture crops i.e. vegetables, flowers, medicinal and aromatic

plants.

About 20% soil of the cultivated area in the region is red-laterite (Bhata) soil, which is

mostly unutilized for growing any crop. These Bhata soil can be better utilized to grow fruit

crops under rain fed/dry land horticulture. Horticulture development can assure year-round

employment to farm labourers and once horticulture is developed, allied sectors like

processing, packaging and export can also gain momentum 

25

2.3 FOREST RESOURCES - UNDER THE NATURE’S GREEN CANOPY

FORESTS : Slightly less than half of the geographical area of Chhattisgarh is covered with

forests, which is an extremely valuable asset. Nearly one third of the forest comprises Sal,

which provides livelihood to large number of people. Timber contributes about 40 per cent of

the total forest revenue. Nearly 10,000 industrial units depend on forests for their raw

material base.

FOREST FEATURES:

First to formulate a State Forest Policy

First to formulate the novel experiment of Public–Private partnership in forest management,

in which the Government, local community and the user industry joined hands to utilize

degraded forest land, meet raw materials requirement and provide income to the people.

First to set up an autonomous certification agency for medicinal, aromatic and dye plants.

First to introduce the concept of People’s Protected Areas – a people friendly model for

conservation that ensures sustainable supply of quality raw materials.

26

First to have an extensive network of around 1,000 primary co-operatives and nearly 7,000

joint forest management committees for the collection and trade of minor forest produce.

Bastar has one of the last few tracts of virgin forests left in Asia. Butterflies flit about

undisturbed; a giant spider weaves a web under a signpost. It is so quite here, away from

traffic jams and deadlines. Teak, sal, silsa, tamarind, amla and mahua trees create a canopy of

dappled greens over you, and shelter a great variety of avian life, like the Green Barbet and

the endangered Bastar Hill Myna. Its rivers and waterfalls, teeming with fish, crocodiles and

otters, the dense forest is home to protected species like tiger and leopard. Rare flowers and

plants grow here in abundance. These are the last few tracts of virgin forest left in Asia and

one of the finest forests on thus earth.

The state of Chhattisgarh being placed in Deccan bio-geographical area, houses an

important part of that rich and unique biological diversity. The forests of the state fall under

two major forest types, i.e., Tropical Moist Deciduous forest and the Tropical Dry Deciduous

forest. The state of Chhattisgarh is endowed with about 22 varied forest sub-types existing in

the state. Sal and Teak are the two major tree species in the state.

Other notable over wood species are Bija, Saja, Dhawra, Mahua, Tendu etc. Amla,

Karra and bamboo constitute a significant chunk of middle canopy of the state's forests. From

the management point of view, there are four types of forests in the state of Chhattisgarh.

These are Teak, Sal, Miscellaneous and Bamboo forests.

Sal said to be the only evergreen forest tree in the country, stretches over Barnawapara

and Sitanadi sanctuaries. Of these, Sitandi is said to have the best sal forest in the State just

as the Godavari basin is reputed for its moist teak.

The forest of Chhattisgarh is spread over an area of 59772 sq. km. This accounts about 44%

of the geographical area of the state. The Forest contains the following types:

Sal Forest 24244.878 sq. km

Teak Forest  5633.131 sq. km.

Miscellaneous Forest 29893.990 sq. km.

Bamboo Forest  6073.96 sq. km.

27

The state has embarked upon joint forest management programme to protect its forests.

Forest protection committees (FPC) and village forest committees (VFC) have been formed

in all the forest divisions of the state. The villagers have been protecting the forests very

vigilantly. Due to their efforts, incidents of fire, illegal grazing and felling have reduced

drastically. Villagers have started resorting to social fencing for protection of the forests. A

strong sense of belongings and ownership may be seen among the people of many villages as

they have very strongly defended their forests from being disturbed by people from the

nearby villages.

Bastar alone can serve at least 10% of the national requirement of forest but in the last

two decades due to the irresponsible approach of the government it is on the downslide and

the forests have gradually degraded. The Indian Government has leased about 3500 hectares

of forest lands to industrial houses to raise forest which will cater the requirements of urban

needs.

ANIMAL WEALTH:

If one wants to have a look at the hill mynah, go to Chhattisgarh – South Chhattisgarh,

to be precise. The black bird has made the dense forest of Kanger Valley its home. You

don’t need to strain your ears to hear her whistles; they are literally piped through the forest.

Of the four species of the hill mynahs found in India, the Bastar mynah is considered the

smartest mimic of the human voice.

If the hill mynah is Chhattisgarh’s pricey pin-up girl, the macho Asiatic wild buffalo is

its state animal. An endangered species, the wild buffalo can be found only in the

Indravati/Kutru National Park in the Indravati Valley of Bastar. Efforts are being made to

protect the species from extension. Project wild buffalo has been launched in Udanti and

Pamer sanctuaries for this purpose. In its 10 sanctuaries and four national parks, the forest

plays host to several other animal species-lion, cheetah, spotted deer, sambhar, barking deer,

bear, to name some of them. Of course, the variety depends on the relevant habitat, but the

forests of Chhattisgarh are still one of the best in the country.

CONCLUSION

28

When a forest is discussed in Chhattisgarh, the conversation often revolves around its

symbiotic relationship with the adivasis. Not only do the adivasis depend on the forest for

their daily sustenance, they also find their deities and doctors there.

2.4 MINING - THE FUTURE

MINERAL RESOURCES : Chhattisgarh is a virgin territory that awaits major players to

explore and unlock the potentials of its minerals. With 28 known minerals, the State is the

richest in mineral wealth. Along with the two neighbouring States of Orissa and Jharkhand, it

accounts for almost the entire coal deposits of India. The state has the right geological set up

to host a number of economic mineral deposits. The State’s mineral policy has created a

favorable business environment to attract private investment in the State.

MINERAL MATTERS:

Accounts for 20 per cent of India’s iron ore.

Bailadila mines in Dantewada have the best quality of iron ore deposits in the world.

Entire tin ore produce of India comes from Chhattisgarh.

State has substantial deposits of bauxite, limestone and dolomite.

Chhattisgarh was earlier known as “Dakshin Koshal” and contributed significantly to

the nation building by its natural resources. Apart from potential mineral resources,

Chhattisgarh ranks second amongst mineral producing States of India. During 2002-03 it has

produced minerals worth Rs.4100 crores (excluding atomic minerals, oil and natural gas),

which is about 13.80% of the total value of the minerals produced in the country.

29

Chhattisgarh produces almost 20 types of minerals. During 2002-03, it produced 100%

of tin concentrate and 37.02% of quartzite to rank 1st in the country. Chhattisgarh ranked 2nd

in production of coal, dolomite and 3rd in iron ore. The State ranks fifth in limestone and

bauxite with a production of 11% and 6% respectively in India. The state also holds

important place in the national production tally of other minerals.

Diamond, Coal, Iron ore, Limestone, Bauxite, Dolomite and Tin ore are the important

minerals that are associated to Chhattisgarh. Iron ore deposits of the State are of world class.

Other minerals like corundum, clays, quartzite, fluorite, beryl, talc, soapstone, marble, silica

sand, etc. are also found in the State. Rare precious mineral like alexandrite is also known to

occur in the State.

Apart from the above minerals, vast reserves of granite of various attractive shades are

available, which can be used as a decorative stone.

A comparative chart showing mineral resources of Chhattisgarh with respect to India is

shown below:

Reserves of important minerals in Chhattisgarh

S. No. Mineral Unit * Reserves in

Chhattisgarh

Percentage in

India

1. Iron Ore Million Tonnes 2336 18.96

2. Coal Million Tonnes 39545 16.10

3. Bauxite Million Tonnes 198 6.44

4. Limestone Million Tonnes 8225 4.84

5. Tin Ore Million Tonnes 31.84 99.93

6. Tin metal Tonnes 15344 95.96

7. Dolomite Million Tonnes 935 12.72

8. Gold Tonnes 3 2.58

9. Corundum Tonnes 50 0.15

10. Quartzite Million Tonnes 24.1 21.31

30

The State’s Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC), singly or in joint

venture, undertakes scientific exploration, commercial exploitation and viable trading of

minerals in the State. CMDC welcomes partnerships with national and international private

sector mineral companies, so that the natural wealth of the State is translated more efficiently

into prosperity for its people.

For Chhattisgarh, preferred investors will be those that, ceteris paribus, come into the

State with a plan to add value with downstream industries, and such investors would have

priority in sanctioning of Mining Lease and Prospecting Lease. Those who set up export-

oriented mineral based units in the State would be equally preferred investors. All such

mining industries will benefit from the incentives offered to all other industries.

With substantial deposits of limestone, iron-ore, copper ore, rock phosphate,

manganese ore, bauxite, coal, asbestos and mica, Chhattisgarh is one of the mineral rich State

of India. Chhattisgarh contains about 525 million tonnes of dolomite reserves, accounting for

24 per cent of the country's share. It has healthy bauxite reserves of an estimated 73 million

tonnes, impressive reserves of iron ore at about 2,000 million tonnes and coal at 29,000

million tonnes. Tin ore reserves exceed 27,000 million tonnes.

The mineral revenue that will accrue to Chhattisgarh will exceed Rs 600 crore annually.

Deobogh in Raipur district contains deposits of diamonds. Chhattisgarh also accounts for

more than 70 per cent of India's total production of tendu leaves that are used for making

bidis.

INVESTMENT POTENTIALS:

All that glitters is not gold. It is something more priced and handsome. It is diamond. If the

quarrel between De Beers and Rio Tinto, world’s largest diamond companies, for a long

patch of land in Chhattisgarh is an indication, diamonds could well be the state’s friend. If

one gives into hearsay a little, the story doing rounds is that De Beers is ready to risk

everything that it has to buy the land that carries diamonds in its womb. The Government has

already issued licenses to national and international companies. These licenses are valid for

three years and permit the companies to look for the diamond-bearing funnel-shaped

kimberlites.

Stories of farmers finding diamonds in their fields abound, but six kimberlites have

actually been identified in the southeastern parts of Raipur, and if statistics are to be believed,

31

the world’s largest kimberlite is located in Tokapal, in Bastar. Diamond is the biggest story in

Chhattisgarh these days, but the State’s 1,35,361 sq km have much more to showcase and sell

to the world. Chhattisgarh is the country’s second largest mineral producing states, coughing

up minerals (excluding atomic minerals, oil and natural gas) worth nearly Rs.4,100 crore in

2002-2003, which added upto 13.80 per cent of the country’s total mineral production.

If one were to count the types of minerals produced in the State, it would come to 20

ranging from coal, iron ore, tin ore, bauxite and limestone to garnet, silica, beryl and even the

rare alexandrite (it is emerald green in day light and throws a red colour under artificial

light). The state boasts of world class iron ore deposits in Dantewara, Kanker and Durg

districts producing more than 194 lakh tonnes annually, and with reserves of 2,336 million

tonnes. In Dantewara, iron ore is found in 14 isolated hills of Bailadila, while in Rajnandgaon

it is found in abundance in Boria Tibbu area.

Abundant reserves and excellent quality have led to the establishment of three steel

plants and seven sponge-iron plants in the state. As if producing 23.24 per cent of the

country’s total iron ore is not enough, the state also has 38,135 million tonnes of coal

reserves that total 18.02 per cent of the country’s coal production. The availability of coal has

resulted in considerable benefits to the common manager – low power tariff and cheap

transport. If ACC, Century, Grasim, L&T and Ambuja queued up in the state to set up their

cement factories, there has to be not just a valid but also an attractive reason. And that reason

is the 5,003 million tonnes of cement-grade limestone reserves in the state. A total of 274

million tonnes of limestone is estimated to be in Bastar alone.

It is not suprising, then, that the state has nine major cement plants and 12 mini cement

units. If diamond is the big story in Chhattisgarh, gold, too could be a small tale. The state

has three tonne reserves which accounts for 4.41 per cent of the of the country’s total

reserves. Of these, 2800 kg have been reporte4d from Raipur and 40 kg from Jashpur areas.

The country’s sole tin-ore mine is found in Dantewara. Besides this, the state accounts for

13.98 per cent of the country’s total dolomite, 8.38 per cent of fluorite, 5.82 per cent of

quartzite, 3.90 per cent of bauxite, 0.18 per cent of corundum, and 0.025 per cent of silica

sand, making it the country’s largest producer of quartzite in the country.

CONCLUSION

32

With nature being so kind, it is not suprising that the state, in 2003-2004 earned Rs.637.17

crores from minerals alone. With energy tariff being the lowest in the country and mineral

reserves in abundance, proposals to set up industries keep pouring from all over into the

Chhattisgarh secretariat.

2.5 CHHATTISGARH TOURISM

Chattisgarh has been famous for its abundant and luxuriant surroundings. The well

known district of Bastar, a treasure of forests and minerals along with the 'Chitrakut Falls'

also know as 'Indian Niagara Falls' is also in Chattisgarh. The state is blessed by many

waterfalls, caves and rivers. The capital city of Chattisgarh, Raipur and the commercial city

Bilaspur are the most convenient places to start a tour of Chattisgarh. The main tourism

attractions in Chattisgarh include Amarkantak, Raipur, Kawardha, Bastar, Jagdalpur,

Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary, Indrawati Wildlife Sanctuary, Tanor Pingla Wildlife

Sanctuary, Samorsot Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.

Chhattisgarh, situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and

attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely

carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus.

Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience

to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded.

Chhattisgarh offers the tourist a Destination with a Difference. For those who are tired of the

crowds at major destinations, Bastar, with its unique cultural and ecological identity, will

come as a breath of fresh air. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 44% of its area under

forests, and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.

Situated in the heart of India, Chhattisgarh is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and

attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely

carved temples …. Buddhists sites, palaces, waterfalls, caves, folk paintings and plateaus.

Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience

to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded.

33

The Tourism Policy is focussed on creating a unique image for the State and to position

it as an attractive destination for both domestic as well as foreign tourists. Some major

objectives of this policy are:

To promote economically, culturally and ecologically sustainable tourism in the State.

Encourage and promote private sector initiatives in developing  tourism-related    

infrastructure

Limit the role of Government to that of facilitator and provider of  public goods

Increase the contribution of tourism to the economic development of   inter- related sectors

The State has taken a conscious decision to do away with past legacies and to adopt a

fresh approach to Tourism Development. The Tourism Policy is focussed on creating a

unique image for the State and to position it as an attractive destination for both domestic as

well as foreign tourists. The state is taking up integrated development of special tourism

areas and has constructive collaboration with the private sector, which will be the prime

driver. Towards this end, the state has set up a tourism promotion board as the nodal agency

for translation of the policy into action for the sustained development of the sector.

Major objectives of Tourism policy:

To promote economically, culturally and ecologically7 sustainable tourism in the state.

Encourage and promote private sector initiatives in developing tourism related infrastructure.

Limit the role of governments to that of facilitator and provider of public goods.

Increase the contribution of tourism to the Economic development of inter-related sectors.

Eco-Tourism

Withy 12% share of India’s forest, Chhattisgarh’s 3 National parks and 11 wildlife

sanctuaries are a major attraction. It has several attractions in protected areas such as Kanger

34

Valley National Park, Barnawapara, Sitanadi, Udanti and Achanakmar sanctuaries. The

endangered wild Buffalo and the even more Endangered Hill Myna are the state animal and

state bird respectively.

The state has taken several steps for their preservation. Natural attractions are being

promoted with increased local participation and encouragement to herbal gardens and natural

health resorts. The mystique of aboriginal tribal ethno-medicine which predates even

Ayurveda has been preserved and practiced over the millennia.

Keshkal valley (Kanker), Chaiturgarh (Bilaspur), Bagicha (Jashpur), Kutumbsar caves,

Kailash caves, Tirathgarh Falls, Chitrakot Falls (Bastar) are all exhilarating destinations

being promoted for nature and wildlife tourism. Wildlife areas camping grounds and trekking

facilities would be the few of the prime attractions.

Culture, Heritage and Ethno Tourism

Chhattisgarh has identified and is developing Ethnic villages, and the private sector is being

encouraged for proper maintenance and proper site management of important heritage sites

and monuments. Festivals like Dussehra at Bastar, Madi at Dantewada and Narainpur,

Bhoramdeo, Raut nacha are being marketed for global exposure.

Pilgrim Tourism

The state encourages the development of pilgrimage centres.

Rajim, Champaranya, Dantewada, Dongargarh, Ratanpur, Sirpur and others are prime

destinations for pilgrim tourism. Sirpur and Dongargarh would be part of the wider Buddhist

tourist circuit.

Adventure Tourism

35

There is great scope for the promotion of modern adventure sports such as water sports,

trekking, rock-climbing, para-sailing and bungee jumping.

Business and Leisure Tourism

Chhattisgarh encourages investments in establishment of business-cum-recreation centres to

cater the needs of business travelers, state-of-the-art convention centres; seminar halls etc. for

corporate events are being encouraged. Investments for the entertainment needs of business

tourists with high purchasing power, facilities such as hotels, entertainment and amusements

parks and multiplexes, shopping malls and golf courses are being encouraged.

Bastar is the focal point of the tourists due of its natural beauty. The green valleys,

rivers, green and splendid Sal forests, wild animals, caves, waterfalls, etc attract the tourists

and make it one of the most important Ecotourism destinations of the country. Natural

resources, beauty, feeling of historical bits and pieces and live form of folk-culture can be

seen in Bastar.

WATERFALLS

Chitrakote Falls: Situated at a distance of 38 kms from Jagdalpur at a spot where the river

Indrawati has an abrupt fall of 96 ft. The falls which are like the Horse Shoe Curve are often

compared to the Niagara Falls.

Tirathgarh Falls: Situated at a distance of 39 kms south-west of Jagdalpur, the picturesque

waterfall of the Kanger valley cascades down from a height of 100 fts in the form of steps.

Other prominent falls are the Madhwa, Chitradhara, Saathdhara, Handa bada, etc.

36

CAVES

Kutumsar and Kailash Gupha (caves) are in the Kanger Valley National Park, 35 kms to the

South-West of Jagdalpur. A flight of iron steps brings you to a low, narrow opening leading

organization the most unbelievable spectacle of natural caves. Kutumsar is 100 ft deep and

825 ft long and is reputed to be India’s deepest caves. In these caves, stalactites and

Stalagmites look displayed like an exhibition of God’s masterpieces. It also has the oldest

stalactites and Stalagmites.

A mud tract through small villages takes you through small villages on the Miullwala

road leads upto to a lush green hill with stone steps right till the top. It brings you to another

vast underground grotto – the Kailash Gupha. Kailash Gupha has organ columns that can

produce wonderful music. While Kutumsar is below the ground, Kailash Gupha is a cave in a

small hill. Both these are favorites of tourists. Forest Guides are also available to lead one in

and out safely. The long, needle like formations are completely different from those of the

Kutumsar caves. It takes nature nearly 6,000 years to make a single inch of stalactite and

stalagmite.

WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND NATIONAL PARKS

Kanger Valley National Park:

The park is a paradise for the nature lovers. The moist peninsular Sal forests and the

South Indian moist deciduous forests are seen in their finest form here. The park is situated in

a transition zone where the southern limit of the Sal forests and the northern limit of the teak

forests overlap; hence both Sal and teak are seen together in this valley. The valley is in fact

one of the last pockets of almost virgin forests left in the peninsular region. To protect this

unique eco-system it has been proposed as a biosphere reserve. The valley is nearly 34 kms

long with an average width of about 6 kms.

The terrain is mostly hilly. The park fauna consists of tiger, panther, wildcat, cheetal

(spotted deer), sambhar, barking deer, wild pig, jackal, langur, sloth bear, flying squirrel,

python, hyena, rabbit, crocodile, etc. The avian fauna includes birds of prey, scavenging

birds, waterbirds, etc. The reptiles include snakes, lizards and the insects include butterflies,

moths, dragonflies, grasshoppers, etc.

37

Lower forms of plants such as fungi, algae, bryophytes and pteridophytes are also quite

common. All these put together with the virgin forests make the park a unique ecosystem.

The park derives its name from the Kanger River which flows throughout its length. The

other main attractions of the park are the Kutumsar caves, Kailash Gupha, Tirathgarh Falls,

etc.

Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary:

The Udanti River cuts the south eastern jungles of Raipur district into almost two equal

halves. The sanctuary takes its name from this river. Though lions rule the roost in Udanti,

the state government is turning the sanctuary into a safe refuge for endangered wild buffalos.

Setup in 1985, the sanctuary spreads over an area of 231 sq.km and is 370 meters above sea

level. Situated on the Raipur-Devbhog state highway, Udanti touches the borders of Orissa

and Madhya Pradesh, and is 140 km away from Raipur town. Open to the public from

November 1st to June 30th, there are lodging facilities in Torenga Forest Rest House.

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located nearly 124 kms from Raipur, Barnawapara was established in 1975 and covers an

area of 244 sq km. the name of the sanctuary is derived from Bar and Nawapara villages that

make up the sanctuary. Sal and mixed forests keep the sanctuary green throughout the year,

though the park remains open to the public only between November 1 st to June 30th. Known

for a variety of animals, Barnawapara is also home to more than 150 varieties of birds, some

of them migratory. The headquarters of Barnawapara is the divisional forest office in Raipur.

The nearest railway station is Mahamasud on the Raipur-Waltair route. There is a rest house

and six cottages inside the sanctuary. No government vehicles are available for sight seeing.

Other wild life sanctuaries in the states are Sitanadi (557 sq km from Raipur station), Pamer

(442 sq km from Jagdalpur station), Achankamar (551 sq km from Bilaspur-Kota station),

Gomarda (227 sq km from Raigarh station) and Badalkhol (225 sq km from Raigarh station)

CONCLUSION

Bastar is not just an escape – she’s a discovery that will excite your senses, stimulate

your mind and revitalize your body and soul. Bastar is a potent combination of the distant

past and modernity of natural beauty and cultural diversity. She’s an enigma-a riddle waiting

38

to be solved. There are no pat answers – no readymade formulas to deliver to one’s questing

mind. Bastar makes one go that one step further to uncover her secrets…..

A cherished gem in the crown of Chhattisgarh state, she is bordered by Orissa,

Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. With almost 60% of her land under forest cover, to the

northwest rise the ancient Abhujmar tribal hills and in the south lies the mineral–rich

Baliadila range.

The Kanger Valley National Park’s expanse of virgin forests, diverse flora and fauna,

ancient caves, waterfalls and rivers is a veritable paradise for botanists, adventure sports

enthusiasts and artists.

And while Bastar is the destiny, one can enjoy the royal experience at the Palace

Kawardha and visit the nearby Bhoramdeo temple, Chhattisgarh’s own Khajuraho temple.

Bastar – perfect destination for camping trips, holidays, tribal tours, adventure escapes and

motoring tours.

39

2.6 HERBAL STATE

With 44 per cent of its area under forest cover, amounting to 5.9 million hectares,

Chhattisgarh is endowed with a rich and unique bio-diversity, making the State a storehouse

of large number of medicinal, aromatic and dye plants. Apart from 88 species found in

abundance, 15 species are being cultivated. With a revival of interest in natural medicines

and herbal products, the State is well on its way to becoming a major player in the global

market valued at $60 billion and growing at 10 per cent per annum. Chhattisgarh is known

for its rich variety of medicinal plants – ambda, anjan, amla, harra, kurlu, kusum – which are

used for curing ailments, ranging from simple fever to the ore complicated cancer, leprosy,

diabetes and even for abortions.

It is with this prospects that the State Government has resolved to develop Chhattisgarh

as the Herbal State. The initiative has the direct involvement of the Chief Minister who has

constituted and chairs the State Medicinal Plants Board. One of the State’s initiative is the

model People’s Protected Area Scheme – a people friendly model of conservation that

ensures sustainable supply of quality raw material of medicinal, aromatic and dye plants. The

People’s Protected Area Scheme covers 1.4 million hectares, including a core area of

4,00,000 acres.

Nearly 7,000 joint forest management committees and 913 primary cooperatives are

involved in the collection and trade of medicinal, aromatic and dye plants. The Government

now proposes a fully equipped research center, including laboratories to be set up. Along

with abundant power, qualified and cost effective human capital, the State’s rich bio-

diversity makes it an ideally suited destination for investment in industries revolving around

medicinal, aromatic and dye plants. Its central location, easy access to international and

national markets, and a dry port at Raipur are added pluses.

40

In view of its extremely rich and unique Bio-diversity, the State Government has

resolved to develop Chhattisgarh as Herbal State. As a part of this endeavour, the

Chhattisgarh State Vanoushdhi Board has been constituted on 28th July 2004, under the

Chairpersonship of the Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh with Forest Minister as the Deputy

Chairperson of the Board. Other important members are the Finance Minister, Agriculture

Minister, Tribal Welfare Minister, Health Minister, Industry Minister and Panchayat & Rural

Development Minister. In addition to the above, representatives of the concerned ministries

of the Government of India, manufacturers, collectors, growers, traders etc. dealing with

medicinal plants are also members of the Board. The Chief Executive Officer is the Member

Secretary of the Board.

The Board endeavors to ……..

Facilitate research and development in Medicinal Plants Sector.

Monitor and co-ordinate medicinal plant development schemes and projects that are funded

by the Central and State Governments, their Organizations and other Institutions.

Formulate policy and projects for Conservation, Development and Non-destructive

harvesting of Medicinal Plants.

Facilitate development of primary processing (Cottage level & Small Scale), drug

manufacturing, marketing and export of drugs and other derivatives of Medicinal plants.

Avail National and International assistance for development of this sector.

Address any other work relating to the Medicinal plants sector.

WHY DESTINATION CHHATTISGARH – Herbal State?

Endowed with extremely rich and unique bio-diversity.

Extensive conservation Initiative by establishing a network of People’s Protected Area’s

(PPA) a model of “conservation through use”.

32 PPA extending over 14 lakhs acre established which include core areas of 4 lakhs.

State Medicinal Plant board reconstituted.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiated.

41

Organic farming of Medicinal Plants.

Contract farming started.

48 farmers provided assistance of Rs.196 lakhs by National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB)

in projects totaling Rs.653 lakh in 372 acres for the cultivation of medicinal plants.

A fully equipped Research Center including laboratory

Setting up of an Ayurved university.

Abundant power and cost effective but qualified and disciplined labor.

Industry friendly Infrastructure.

Centrally located with access to International and National Markets.

Dry port established at Raipur for facilitating export.

Proposal to establish SEZ and AEZ for Medicinal Plants.

Suitability of Brand image and brand positioning.

Aloe Vera is used for the symptomatic relief of Addictions, AIDS, Cancer, Chemical

Poisoning, Heart Diseases, Kidney Infection, Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Bronchitis,

Diabetes, Fibroids, Hepatitis C, Leukemia and Parasites.

The greater the molecular weight of the Mucilaginous Poly Saccharine (MPS) from the

Aloe plants the better the handling properties and higher returns to the farmers; hence the

need for innovative extraction technology to capture the benefit.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

The enabling environment for the over all development of Vanoushdhi sector in Chhattisgarh

provides vast array of Investment opportunities, some of which are listed below:-

Growing and cultivation of Vanoushdhi : The vastness of agro climatic zones is suitable for

farming including organic farming of Vanoushdhi. The public private partnership (PPP)

involving use of ruined forests for growing of medicinal plants offers immense potential for

this purpose. Many medicinal species are already being cultivated by farmers in

Chhattisgarh. Depending upon the market requirement, other species can also be taken up for

42

cultivation. The application of modern technology including genetic engineering can produce

world class planting stock as well as raw material for the industry.

Trade/ Export : PPA and other forest areas are producing large number of good quality

Vanoushdhi which can be traded/ exported. There is a very good scope for the trade/ export

of Vanoushdhi available in Chhattisgarh. Furthermore Bio prospecting for new medicinal

plants and Bio partnership in virgin forest areas open up new opportunities.

Processing/ Manufacturing : The above mentioned good quality raw material can be used

for processing/ manufacturing of Ayurvedic drugs, dietary supplements, nutraceuticals,

cosmeceuticals and extraction of essential oils as well as other active chemical ingredient.

Vegetable or natural dies also offer multi faceted opportunities in Chhattisgarh.

2.7 ARTS & CRAFTS – ART OF THE MATTER

In the heart of the country, lies cocooned the sylvan state of Chhattisgarh. Blessed with

profusely lush forests, gurgling springs and waterfalls, mysterious caves and unusual rock

formations, it is home to several culturally rich tribal societies. Their long and close

association with nature has culminated in a craft heritage that is inspiring in all its elements.

Raw material is sourced entirely from the surrounding environment – bell metal and wrought

iron are obtained from recycled scrap, wood and sisal from the neighbouring forests and

marshes, and terracotta from the riverbeds.

Frequent references to local mythology, rituals, religion, and folklore in the exquisite

shapes and forms of the handicrafts reflect the cultural legacy of the people that craft them.

There is a unique quality of rawness in the finish that adds to the rustic appeal of the

products. Bastar, Kondagaon, Nagarnar, and Raigarh are some of the areas in Chhattisgarh

that are known for handicrafts. Effectively, the very essence of Chhattisgarh – simplicity and

tradition is unveiled in the scope of artistic expressions of its people.

In tribal societies, there is little space for art without a purpose. Most objects have to

function beyond looking beautiful. To fully appreciate the work of this nature, we must view

it, as far as possible, in the setting in which it has been created. “Primitive art”, says a writer

in his book on the arts of West Africa “is the most pure, most sincere form of art there can

be; partly because it is inspired by religious ideas and spiritual experience”. It is perhaps this

close affinity with religion and life that imparts to Bastar art its flagrant power.

43

The same designs that once appeared in the artifacts of the Indus valley thousands of

years ago, find new expression on pots and pans, dress and ornaments, walls and doors of

Bastar homes. Many Bastar artisans are national awardees. The museum at Raipur has on

display some wonderful examples of their skills as well as the list of the foremost artisans

and their addresses – available on request. There are stunning door handles and key hooks,

photo frames, pen stands and towel hangers available. There are whole communities where

the bell metal artisans work like Ektaal in Raigarh. Elephants and horses, tall urns are best

viewed at Saathi Cooperative, off the Kondagaon road.

Bastar’s wrought iron work is celebrated the world over. they make breath takingly

graphic deer turning their heads, monkeys cavorting, tribal women, groups of musicians,

wall hanging, railings and garden chairs, center tables and window grills – all resplendent in

stalk black. Fine wood carving is done all over Chhattisgarh. Bamboo is being turned into

things like lamps, trinket holders, CD racks, pen stands – simple and useful low-cost items.

Bamboo and cane furniture is also available. Bastar is famous for its pure-cotton saris and

chunnis using aal, a natural dye. A unique variety of natural tussar (from Sal tree), called

railly silk, found no where else in the country or in the world is found here. Block-printed

and hand-painted railly Kosa silk cloth can be procured from Silk center in Jagdalpur. At

Nagarnar village, near Jagdalpur, you can buy exquisite natural tussar odnis, pichhoris and

lengths of cloth in adivasi designs in rich vegetable dyes directly from the weaver.

Today, a sense of pride is slowly emerging. Government officials like Director of

Culture Pradeep Pant, NGOs like Saathi and discerning art dealers, with an abiding love for

their crafts heritage are all in their own way ensuring that what is left survives and what was

lost, revived. Adapting their craft traditions to modern usage so that the craftsman survives.

Otherwise all will be lost.

Making innovative things, combining skills, experimenting with local clay to produce

glazed terracotta goods in both adivasi and modern designs. Earlier, gods and goddesses

were made for family shrines – their maximum height being four to ten inches. Now all sizes

are made, depending on what the market demands. Most of them are trying to do this without

compromising on the quality. We can no longer think of economy and culture as two

separate realms, if we want the adivasis to have the means to integrate into the social fabric,

or their crafts to survive.

44

The people of Chhattisgarh seem determined to turn things around. To be No.1 in every

sphere. Everyone jumps to perform the smallest task and willingly so. With their charged

atmosphere it would come as no surprise if they achieve their goals.

BELL METAL –Dhokra

Initiated by the Ghasia tribe, the Bell-metal art originated for making bells and trinkets for

the king’s horses. Exquisite dull gold figurines and objects are crafted in the Bastar and

Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh out of bell metal, brass, and bronze. The Ghadwas of Bastar

and Jharas of Raigarh practice the dhokra art with lost wax techniques or hollow casting. It

involves intricately patterning a clay core with wax ribbons and then coating it carefully with

a mix of clay and hay. The wax is subsequently melted off, and the cavity formed is filled

with molten metal. When this solidifies, the craftsmen reveal the beauty of his creation with

cautiously breaking open the outer clay shell.

One metal cannot be used to make bells because it does not produce a sound. Four parts

brass to one part tin is used to make bell metal. In Bastar, traditional bell casting was done

through the lost-wax process. It is still done in the same way and is known locally as dokra.

Dhokra means ‘old’. In other words, the art is so old that no one knows since when it has

been practiced and perfected. This ancient tradition of producing objects of brass, bronze and

45

bell metal by the lost-wax process continues to be practiced in Bastar, West Bengal, Bihar,

Orissa and Kerala.

There are twelve stages in the process. First, the hollow-casting process requires the

preparation of a clay core, or replica, which is slightly smaller than the object to be cast.

Once the core is dry, fine threads of beeswax are wound around it tightly. Further modeling

in bees’ wax is carried out on the wax-sheathed clay core, in order to add other parts of the

design. Then the ribbed wax sheath is smoothened out further with fingers or a strip of

warmed metal, if needed.

After the completion of the model, the replica is coated with a thin layer of fine clay

paste, which will take, on its inner surface, the negative impression of all details on the outer

surface of the replica. A runner or channel is devised to enable the molten metal to be poured

into the replica chamber when casting takes place. The construction is allowed to cool, prior

to breaking open the outer layer of the clay to expose the metal image; the surface of which

is filed smoothly. The finished object retains the texture of the ribbed wax and its clay core.

Earlier, deities, votive offerings and household items were made through the process of

dhokra.

Today this craft is being adopted for contemporary use – photo frames, ashtrays, and

lamp bases. The exquisitely-wrought decorative artifacts are such design classics that they

never look out of place, and are even much sought after in a New York apartment.

Today, Chhattisgarh’s crafts inspire artists the world over. Adivasi bell-metal master,

Dr. Jaidev Baghel’s work is been exhibited in Russia, Germany, Britain, Australia, USA,

Japan, Switzerland, Italy, France, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. He has taught

Bastar’s traditional bell-metal casting to students at world renowned universities and

discerning design schools in many of these countries and his work is displayed at museums

around the world. He has been bestowed with many national awards and received a doctorate

in literature in 2003 (along with Dr. Manmohan Singh, Yashwant Sinha) in recognition of his

outstanding skills.

Inspiration is available to the craftsperson from his abundant environment, be it the

village ghotul, numerous trees, birds and animals, mythology and rituals. Useful pieces such

as combs, lamps, bowls and cups are created for daily use. Models range from life size tall

46

images to small drawing room items like masks, deer, horses, elephants, tribal-heads, etc.

each piece is crafted by hand through the varnishing wax technique. Nowhere else in the

country does craft pay such obeisance to nature, as in the dhokra art!

SISAL AND SHELLCRAFT

Sisal: The ivory coloured fabrics of sisal are obtained from swaying reeds of the marshes of

Bastar district. Traditionally, the womenfolk twisted this soft and sturdy natural fibre into

ropes to tie cattle, but today it is used to make potholders, mats, hammocks, bags and dolls.

Shell Craft: The tribals of Chhattisgarh combine shells with mirrors & fabric to create

interesting objects like the toran, place mats & boxes.

WROUGHT IRON – Loha Shilp

The dark and elegant rawness of the metal artifacts and figures of Chhattisgarh is a reflection

of its creator’s imagination and skill. Indigenous tribal blacksmith, craft strikingly beautiful

items instantly appealing to the aboriginal hidden in every man and woman.

47

The symbiotic relationship of the tribals with nature allows them to draw raw material from

the ore-rich mines in the Chirandongri region or by cautiously recycling scrap iron. The

metal is heated in furnaces to make it elastic under the cautious yet firm touch of the

blacksmith. He uses his rudimentary tools of hammer and tongs to skillfully forge the items

in such a way that no joints are created. A final varnish provides the attractive sheen.

Utility forms the bedrock of the craft but most objects also embody strong ritualistic

significance. Lamps, candle stands, musicians joyfully playing a large variety of instruments,

relaxed animal shapes, an assortment of figurines and deities symbolize the product range. A

unique gentle beauty pervades the entire art form and creates an ageless appeal.

Crafted extensively in the Nagarnar & Kondagaon villages of Chhattisgarh, the

blacksmiths skillfully forge the items. Some of the commonly made items include Aadivasi

Musicians playing the Trumpet, the Daphli and the three string sitara, Khutdiya with

peacocks, monkeys, lions, deers which are dedicated at weddings and the Jhaari of the Bhudi

goddess. The laman diya is one of the most popular items in wrought iron.

WOODCRAFT

Woodcraft came naturally for the tribals of Bastar as they have around 7% of India’s forests.

The bountiful forests of Chhattisgarh form a large portion of the land cover of this state.

They yield the sagon and shivna wood, used by the tribals for their creations. The wood is

48

readily crafted into decorative and utility items, both of which have a prominence in

Chhattisgarh’s handicrafts. Flutes, bows and arrows, toys and panels struggle for place on a

connoisseur’s shelf with the elaborately carved scenes from mythology or even day-to-day

life. These items infuse life to any drawing room.

TERRACOTTA

made by potters of Bastar from the finest river-bed clay of Indravati, Ornate elephants,

horses, bowls…..excellent artifacts to highlight the corner of a room or the inside columns in

a big hall or lounge. The soft red soils from the riverbeds are gently coaxed by the potters’

hands into utility items as well as contemporary decorative pieces. The potter moulds the

pliant soil from the river’s upper layer into gentle curves and shapes, baking them in a slow

fire when dry. Once ready, he lovingly colours them in deep sienna tones with soil from the

deeper layers of the river bed. His nimble hands create pots or matkas, bowls or handiyas,

elephants, horses and lamps.

PLAY WITH CLAY - (Text by Anshuman Sen)

There is something very poetic about Sundari Bai’s figures. Sundari Bai happens to stay in

Sirkutga. Sundari Bai is passionate about sculpture. Her house has a large room with

beautiful clay figures clinging onto the walls. One arresting composition had Krishna playing

the flute with two gopis on either side. Her first solo exhibition was at the Ikon Gallery, in

Birmingham, UK.

Married at the age of eleven, Sundari Bai stepped out of her husband’s village only at

the age of thirty-five. She remembers making clay toys for her own self, as a small child, and

then for her children. Women in the Rajwar community do have a tradition of making clay

toys. A certain Mushtaq Khan, from Delhi, happened to see some of her sculptures drying in

the sun, and took pictures of them while she was away in the fields.

That one incident changed the course of Sundari Bai’s life. She transformed almost

overnight from a simple peasant woman to a global artist. She began participating in a series

of group shows both in India and abroad. Sundari Bai received the Shikhar Samman in 1990

and there is a photograph of her sitting next to A.B.Vajpayee, which she loves seeing again

49

and again. Sun-baked sculptures are brittle. But Sundari Bai got around that problem by

accidentally discovering a mixture of cotton wool and clay that was far more stable and

easier to work with.

She regularly receives orders from her “International clients”, and is planning a solo

exhibition in the near future.

KOSA SILK – Weaving Magic

Cocoons, mulberry, mathematics, women’s legs, skills and concentration – all go into the

making of sarees at Chhuri. Chhuri is a small village on the Korba-Ambikapur highway, and

is an important Kosa silk centre in Chhattisgarh. Many of the weavers, highly skilled in Kosa

weaving are now migrating to cities and working as manual labour. On the way to Chhuri,

near Katghora are seen shehtoot trees. The government has planted these shehtoot trees.

Shehtoot is the Indian variant of mulberry, and the area around Katghora is full of it.

Hemant’s Kosa Kala is recommended as the only badhiya (best) shop in Chhuri. There

are atleast twenty more shops that sell Kosa silk sarees on the highway, each employing the

services of independent weavers operating from their homes. Productivity is generally higher

during the monsoons and the reason for this is that during monsoons there are more green

leaves for the silkworms to feed on.

There are basically two varieties of Kosa. The coarse variety is made on matkas (pots),

and the fine one on the women’s legs. The finer variety of Kosa thread is spun by ladies and

is used for making the beautiful Chhuri sarees. The Sambalpuri sarees have the same borders

as the Chhuri sarees but they only have a series of temple tower motifs that the Chhuri sarees

don’t have.

The scene mentioned below is that of a weaver’s home. A middle-age manager sits

behind a loom, swinging a complicated bunch of ropes. It’s almost dark inside and it is

suprising to see how he manages to weave such intricate patterns in such a low level of

illumination. His wife sits in a corner, spinning silk threads from cocoons by rolling them on

her thigh. It’s a tedious process, but she’s lightning fast with years of experience. She

finishes hundred cocoons in a day she says.

Kosa threads are dyed in artificial colours and combed together after being stung on a

wooden frame. The threads are literally immersed in boiling water for a couple of hours to

fix the colour. Combining is a tedious process in itself. The frame on which it is done is 12 ft

50

long, and it takes a comber several rounds to separate each thread. The loom looks extremely

complicated, and there is a great deal of mathematics involved in the whole process. The

high level of concentration and skill required in weaving even a plain cloth is worth noting.

At Chandarpur, the other major Kosa center near Raigarh, the looms are even more

complicated because of the intricate borders in Chandarpuri sarees. It takes three to four days

to make the moist basic Kosa saree. The most complicated Chhuri sarees have the

Mahabharata and the Ramayana woven along its length. Traditional Chhuri sarees measure

five-and-a-half meters and costs anywhere between seven hundred and twelve hundred

rupees. The same thing costs around two thousand rupees in Delhi’s showrooms.

They supply four-piece sherwani suits to Mumbai and Kolkata, and now they will also

export them to Canada and Malaysia. This is because these countries have large number of

NRIs. The export grade Kosa has a soft finish, achieved by boiling the cloth.

PERFORMING ARTS – Voice from the Soul

There was a time when every occasion was a Pandvani occasion in Chhattisgarh. The

folkmen would gather to listen to the story of the Pandava brothers from the Mahabharata

performed as a drama in the unique local style. He did not need a stage, the village square

served well enough. For generations, Pandvani remained confined to the village boundaries –

an art of the villagers, for the villagers and by the villagers – and continued to be strictly

male preserve.

It was only in the mid – 20th century when specially gifted Pandvani artists Narayan

Das Verma and Jharoo Ram Dewangan transformed it into a high art that Pandvani could be

performed on stage and it was due to the concerted efforts of the two that Pandvani

metamorphosed from being a village pastime into a folk art. Growing up among four

siblings, Teejan Bai often saw her grandfather regale the family with stories from the

Mahabharata. At 13, Teejan gave her first performance in village Chandrakhuri, in Durg, for

a princely sum of Rs.10.

Today, after storming many national and international festivals, Teejan Bai with a

Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri under her jeweled belt, ranks among India’s foremost

performers of any form anywhere. From Chandrakhuri, Teejan was sent to perform in

several Festivals of India, where she received amazing applause.

51

OTHER CRAFTS

Bamboo products and baskets are an essential part of tribal life. Bamboo is used for

constructing houses, making bows and arrows, handles for agricultural tools besides other

utilization products. The “Basods” of Chhattisgarh make more than 200 different varieties of

bamboo articles including a large assortment of baskets. Baskets of different types and sizes

are used to store material and carry produce to market places.

The “Kamar” tribals of Raipur are adept at making baskets and other articles like fish

traps, mats and bird traps from bamboo. Decorative and utility items are also being

increasingly made with bamboo and sold in urban areas. Interesting table top accessories,

boxes, combs, letter holders and pen stands have become an important part of the product

range. Apart from these crafts, Dhruva Patta or the Dhruva Sari is a key handloom item

created by the people of Chhattisgarh.

A magnificent sari created in coarse cotton finish on looms made of wood. The Dhruva

Sari is symbolic of the tribal culture of the State. The weavers work with the aal dye made

from the roots of the aal tree to create hue and tints in red on natural colours. Under a new

initiative, the Handicrafts of Bastar are being crafted by self-help aboriginal groups under

expert technical guidance.

CONCLUSION

Kondagaon, Narayanpur and Jagdalpur are famous for their terracotta crafts such as the

elephant with bells and a selection of decorative pots and tabletop items. Jagdalpur is also

reputed for Kosa silk weaving. Bell metal and wrought iron work is the speciality of

52

Kandagaon and Jagdalpur. Wood and Bamboo work are best seen at Narayanpur and

Jagdalpur. Memorial stones are one of Bastar’s oldest crafts.

You can pick up some lovely souvenirs at the Shilpgram or Narayanpur’s handicraft

center, where you can watch craftsmen at work. Popular amongst these folk arts are elaborate

wrought iron lamps and other items, wood and metal combs embellished with images of

deities, terracotta animals and figurines, items of bell metal and hand-woven textiles. The

local jail in Jagdalpur has handicrafts made by the inmates. For true local flavour visit a

colourful “haat” (weekly market) – there are around three hundred of them across Bastar.

Here tribal people gather to buy salt, tobacco, cloth and other essentials in exchange for

produce collected from the forest. Some of the finest works of Bastar crafts are showcased in

some of India’s five star hotel lobbies and upmarket urban stores.

Some of Bastar’s most talented craftsmen have been acclaimed for their participation in

prestigious events such as the Festival of India Series.

53

2.8 FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

Bastar’s festivals are an enthusiastic showcasing of the ancient cultural ethos of its

tribal people. Mother Nature is invoked at the turn of the seasons accompanied by singing

and dancing in rituals that are ancient as time. Danteshwari is the former ruler’s reigning

deity: the tribal people worship their own gods, goddesses and spirits, inspired by nature in

its countless forms.

As one walks through the forests of Bastar, besides rivers and nearby caves, one will

often find votive offerings under a wishing tree or in a sacred groove. it might be a lovingly

crafted terracotta elephant, an alert deer shaped in wrought iron, a coiled cobra made of brass

or a highly stylized bell-metal horse perfected over generations. Nature worshippers,

Bastarias often promise their gods a horse, an elephant or a tiger on wish fulfillment or the

success of a venture. Mother Nature holds complete sway here, in all her myriad forms.

The sun, the moon and their own pantheon of nature deities are worshipped and

invoked at the turn of the season through local festivals that crowd the adivasi calendar. The

whole year round you will find them celebrating nature in some or the other form. These

festivals include the famous Bastar Dusshera (in honour of Sri Danteshwari Mai), harvest

festivals, such as Navakhani (eating of the new crop), Matipuja (Earth Worship), Goncha

(the chariot festival). The Phagun Madai and the Ramaram Mela are some of Bastar’s other

exciting festivals.

In much of India, Dusshera celebrates the return of Ram to Ayodhya, but in Bastar it

focuses principally on Sri Danteshwari Mai, its primary deity. The entire festival is a

wonderful amalgam of local religious beliefs and tribal customs. Traditionally numerous

other tribal deities, many indigenous congregate at the temple which is the pivotal point of

the celebrations.

54

The ceremonies begin with worship at the temple of Kacchhingudi, where a young girl

from the weaver community is placed upon a swing of thorns. Danteshwari descends upon

her preserving her from injury and this is considered highly auspicious and an indication of

her divine approval of the festivities.

The Saoras of Orissa build the Dusshera Rath used for transporting the deity every year,

while its construction is supervised by the Dhakada tribe. The Khaki tribe worship the Rath

before it is used. Traditionally the Parja provide the ropes that pull the Rath while the Maria

and Dhruwa pull it.

Chosen members of the Halba community are enthroned within the Darbar Hall to mete

out justice. The Phagun Maria of Dantewara, Ramaram Mela of Sukma and Narayanpur

Maria are also some of Bastar’s colourful cultural extravaganza. Year around one can find

ancient rituals re-enacted with enthusiasm and traditional vigour by tribal people all over the

district.

RAJIM - the Prayag of Chhattisgarh

Rajim is a small town 45 kms in the southeast of the state capital – Raipur. It has hardly a

population of 50 thousand but is well known for its cultural, social and political

consciousness. It’s a city of temples like Varanasi. The temple of Rajeev Lochan attracts

thousands of devotees from all over India and abroad through the year. Here just like

Jagannathpuri a great importance is given to MahaPrasad and then a special preparation is

made out of rice, called ‘Pidia’ which is even sold by the Pujaris for Prasad.

Just like Prayag it is a sangam of three rivers i.e. Mahanadi, Pairy and Sondhu. Hence

also we see the temple of Kuleshwar, where Sita, at the time of their exile formed the image

of lord Shiva with sand. As she bathed it with water, the water gushed out from five different

places and till date these holes can be clearly seen. That’s why Lord Shiva is called

Panchamukhi Mahadev here. Just like Prayag, people from all over the country come to

perform the last rites of their relatives at Rajim.

All around the temple of Rajeev Lochan there are five more temples. They are

Bhuteshwar, Jagannath Temple, Pancheshwar Mahadev, Someshwar Mahadev and Rajim

Telin temple. They say that on Maghi Purnima, Lord Jagannath himself comes to this temple

and people can have his Darshan in the image of Rajeev Lochan. On that day Jagannath

temple at Jagannathpuri remains closed.

55

From Maghi Purnima onwards there is a mela organized every year and people from far

& wide come to Rajim at this time. Rajim city is said to be standing on a Lotus.

It has five Shiv Lingas known as Kuleshwar, Fingeshwar, Kopeshwar,

Patneshwar and Pateshwar. That’s why this area of Rajim is called

Panchkashi. People crave to do its parikrama and it has a great religious

importance.

FESTIVAL CALENDAR

Month Festival Place

February Ramaram Mela Sukma

February Maria Bastar/Narayanpur/

Kondagaon

March Phagun Maria Dantewada

April Mahashivratri Bhadrakali

April Sakalnarayan Mela Bhopalpatnam

July Goncha Jagdalpur

October Bastar Dussehra Jagdalpur

FARE AND FOWL

Tinkling trinkets, Crisp fritters, Fighting roosters and coarse Kosa silk are in much in

demand at Bastar’s flea market. It is Sunday – and it is time to visit the tribal haat - the

magical flea market of Bastar. A small truck, bursting with traders precariously perched on

their goods, hurdles towards the market. Three Maria women, a young couple on a bicycle

and a group of sprightly schoolboys follow at an easier pace. Everyone seems erecting

makeshift shops.

Women dressed in frilly nylon frocks over multi-coloured petticoats, string necklaces

arrange the fake duplicates that do brisk business here. There are fairness creams, hair oils,

and strong carbolic soap vying for attention alongside small leaf containers holding spiky

green kankrol, small dried village fish and red ants – soon to be ground with garlic, chillies

and salt into chaapra, the delicious Bastar chutney.

56

Large heaps of Kosa silk cocoons, fluffy white murra (puffed rice), and warm roasted

chickpeas briskly exchange hands. A farmer measures out rice in a soli (a metal cup measure

of 250 Gms) gladly accepting money. Barter is now a thing of the past. Superficially, the

haat seems just a fleeting bazaar of tasteless trinkets.

In reality, it is the root that binds all the branches of the community together. In this

land of low literacy and far flung homes, people wait for the day of the haat to meet relatives

and friends. Besides purchasing requirements, they also exchange news and ideas, exchange

goodwill, and bond in a weekly ritual of celebration. They indulge in gambling, drinking,

eating and meeting together in a club where no one is excluded.

Pivotal to the local economy, the local haat takes place every day of the week, but at

different locations. Every village, irrespective of its size, holds a haat. The most popular

ones are held at Nagarnar, Dantewada (Wednesday); near Chitrakote (Friday), near Barsur

(Saturday); and at Jagdalpur, Kondagaon and Narayanpur (Sunday). Most haats start about

noon and end before sundown.

At Konda, and in some villages around it, in extreme south Bastar, the haats begin at

sunrise and end by nine in the morning. During the Dusshera festival, a magical “night haat”

is held on the Jagdalpur–Dantewada road. The moonlit forest is dotted with twinkling oil-

lamp lights in white tents. The effect is ethereal.

57

2.9 POWER HUB Chhattisgarh’s extraordinary energy story is something the state can be

proud ofThe energy park in Raipur has a success story to narrate, both in conventional and non-

conventional sectors. The park is actually a tribute to how well Chhattisgarh has managed its

energy potential, generating energy from non-conventional sources and even from something

as inane as rice husk. No wonder Chhattisgarh is called the Power Hub of the country and is

mustering all its capabilities to not just be self-sufficient, but also to feed other States.

When Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in November 2000, it received

only 9 per cent of the energy assets and 26 per cent of the population. “It was an odd

situation. We were generating enough electricity for our needs, but because of really poor

transmission and distribution infrastructure, not everyone was benefiting,” says Ajay Singh,

Secretary, Department of Energy, and Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board

(CSEB).

To improve the distribution facilities, the Government pumped in Rs 355 crores, and

the result was there for all to see. When the sun goes down in Chhattisgarh, light bulbs chase

away darkness not just in cities but in remote villages and hamlets also. Also with energy

came better irrigation facilities that led to foster economic growth. Singh admits that CSEB

still needs to reach out to people who live in dense forest areas. He hopes that there would be

total electrification in Chhattisgarh by 2007.

Since energy is the prerequisite for economic prosperity, CSEB introduced special

packages for industrial units to increase consumption. Sick and abandoned units were offered

downward tariff and, like irrigation, it yielded rich results. According to Ajay Singh, the

State has the potential to generate 30,000 megawatts of electricity. To achieve this, the

58

Government has already tied up with several State governments and private players. A

number of new power plants and hydel power projects are in the offing. CSEB has also taken

up computerization and modernization of its existing plants thereby increasing their

prolonged existence. The State has seven power plants, including the mammoth NTPC

power plant at Korba.

Since thermal power stations mean a lot of environmental pollution, Singh admits that

the CSEB has to walk a tightrope between revving up production and keeping an eye on

pollution. No wonder that CSEB is actively exploring non-conventional energy sources like

solar energy and rice husk. Like its neighbour Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh also generates

energy from rice husk. The State, being the rice bowl of the country, has enough husk to

generate 150 megawatts of electricity, as against the current production of 15 megawatts

from rice husk.

“Chhattisgarh could sustain its image as the power hub of the country; we have the

potential to cover half the demand-supply gap in the country,” adds Singh.

POWER:

Strategically located in central India, Chhattisgarh's large surplus of power can be easily

transmitted without losses to any part of India. With its 'Power Hub' strategy, the State will

remain power surplus for all times to come. Hence it would be the preferred destination for

all power intensive industries. Korba in Chhattisgarh is really the Power Capital of India.

There are huge coal reserves in the vicinity, offering cheap power generation

opportunities and there is enough water from the State's largest reservoir of Hasdeo Bango.

84% of India's coal is in Chhattisgarh and two other States. There are adequate coal supplies-

59

South Eastern Coalfields Ltd, Bilaspur is doubling its production from 35 million tonnes to

70 million tonnes per annum. As in the Green Revolution of the past, which concentrated on

Punjab and Haryana, the new ‘Power Revolution’ may focus on cheap power producing

States like Chhattisgarh, which has the potential to produce upto 50,000 MW of power.

NTPC has already started construction on its 2640 MW Sipat Super Thermal Plant and

another 600 MW plant in Korba Government of Gujarat is setting up a 500 MW generation

plant in Korba. Several other States are also interested. Power will be wheeled to the

respective States. Chhattisgarh has excellent power evacuation infrastructure. It can transport

and sell power to deficit areas in any part of India.

An added reason for investing in Chhattisgarh’s power generation sector is their

proagrassive power policy that allows third party sales to buyers outside the State, with or

without the aid from CSEB (Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board). Non conventional energy

sources have been accorded very high priority.

A special agency called CREDA (Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development

Agency) has been set up, and over 1200 villages in dense forests are being electrified using

off-grid energy. Micro-Hydel power potential is also being tapped in a big way, and several

projects have been identified for viable private investment.

ELECTRICITY

Chhattisgarh produced a substantial 36 percent of the total power

generated in undivided Madhya Pradesh, contributing 42 percent

Thermal and 14 percent of Hydel power. In terms of power

consumption, Chhattisgarh consumes around 24 percent of total

consumption. Chhattisgarh Electricity Company Limited (CECL) is

a manufacturer of manganese based ferro alloys – ferro-manganese

and silico-manganese. Its customers include most of the larger steel

manufacturers in India and many steel producers abroad. CECL

also produces power for captive consumption, and thus the name.

The company's four furnaces are capable of producing 75,000

tonnes per annum of ferro-alloys. CECL is located in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in central India.

In a short time since its inception, it has become a preferred supplier of ferro-manganese and

silico-manganese to the major steel manufacturers of India. It has also been exporter of ferro-

60

alloys to Canada, Italy, Japan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, China, Thailand,

Indonesia, Malaysia and other South East Asian countries.

As an environment friendly company, CECL utilises the fly-ash generated to

manufacture fly-ash bricks. The company has installed a fly ash brick / block making unit to

make proper disposal of fly ash generated. These fly ash bricks / blocks are made in a fully

automatic plant. These bricks / blocks are extensively used in the plant for laying roads etc.

They are also sold in the domestic market.

RESOURCES

Power:

The company at the right earnest planned for a power plant, as the major input in a ferro

alloy plant is power. Hence with the 50 mw power plant, the plant is self reliant.

Water:

100% water requirement is met from Kharoon river ( 8Kms) away, pipe lines are laid from

the river to the plant.

WATER RESOURCES:

Rivers, Tanks and groundwater are the main sources of water in Chhattisgarh State.

Mahanadi, Indrawati, Sheonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Eib, Pairi, Sabari and Arpa are some of the

perennial river veins passing through the State. The irrigated area in the State is only sixteen

percent of the total cultivable area, while potential exists to raise the irrigated area to seventy

five percent. The State Government announced the "Indira Gaon Ganga Yojana"

61

Under this scheme every village would be provided with at least one dependable and

sustainable source of water for drinking and other needs. The State Government has also set

about the task of completing the incomplete irrigation projects to bring more area under

irrigation. A shelf of projects has been finalized and taken up with the NABARD for

financing.

62

CHAPTER # 03

INDUSTRIAL

POLICY

(2004 – 2009)

63

3. INDUSTRIAL POLICY (2004-2009)

The Chhattisgarh government has declared a new industrial policy 2004-2009 to give

thrust to industrialization. The policy aims to make the State more competitive among other

States. The new industrial policy’s aim would be to generate more and more jobs and giving

better opportunities for value addition to natural resources and forest products. The State

Government promises to do its best for the development of backward areas and participation

of backward communities in the process of industrialization. There is immense potential in

the natural resources tapped in the state to accelerate the pace of Industrialization, overall

development and providing employment to the people in the state. Chhattisgarh can

contribute significantly to strengthen the economy of the nation. Abundant and diverse

natural resources, congenial atmosphere and investor friendly governance are major

attractions.

1. Preface

1.1 Chhattisgarh, endowed with abundant natural resources, is a 21st century state. The state

contains rich forests and minor forest produce having more than 88 species of medicinal

plants and is a store house of huge mineral deposits, including precious minerals. Due to easy

availability of these resources, it has immense potential for industrial development.

1.2 It is the endeavour of the State Government to work towards rapid economic growth with

regional balance so as to take the state to the category of "developed states". To bring about

prosperity to the people of Chhattisgarh, it is necessary that the present rate of industrial

growth increases substantially. Therefore, creation of a favourable investment environment

for increasing industrial production and creating employment opportunities is one of the

priority areas of the State Government.

1.3 The main objective of the new industrial policy is to add maximum value to state's

abundant natural resources within the state itself, and create maximum employment

opportunities by setting up industries in all its districts across the state. To attract industrial

investment in the state, the policy attempts at providing necessary infrastructure for

investment, reducing the cost of production for the investor and ensuring an investor friendly

64

administration. Towards this end, special importance has been given to private sector

participation.

1.4 Special effort has been made in the policy to see that, in addition to the industrially more

developed areas, industries are set up in the state's industrially backward areas also, and that

entrepreneurs from scheduled caste and scheduled tribe category also join the process of

industrial development.

Due attention has also been paid to investments by non-resident Indians, foreign direct

investment, rehabilitation of closed and sick industries, development of skills for industrial

employment, etc.

1.5 For finalizing the draft of the industrial policy, industrial associations, industrialists,

investors, representatives of financial institutions, subject experts, etc. were consulted and

their valuable views and suggestions have been accepted. The State Government hopes that

implementation of the "Industrial Policy (2004-2009)" will provide impetus to State's

industrialization and creation of employment opportunities.

2. Objectives

2.1 To create additional employment opportunities by accelerating the process of

industrialization in the state.

2.2 To create enabling environment for ensuring maximum value addition to the abundant,

locally available mineral and forest based resources.

2.3 To ensure balanced regional development by attracting industries in the economically

backward areas of the state.

2.4 To ensure participation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other weaker sections in

the development process.

2.5 To make industrial investments in the state competitive vis-à-vis other states in the

country.

2.6 To promote private sector participation for creation of industrial infrastructure in the

state.

2.7 To create an enabling environment for increasing industrial production, productivity and

quality upgradation to face the challenge of competition emerging from economic

liberalization.

3. Strategy

65

3.1 To take measures for ensuring availability of necessary basic industrial infrastructure like

rail-road, power, water, etc.

3.2 To encourage private sector for providing quality roads, developed land, water, etc. in the

least possible time, and to encourage captive power generation for providing low cost power.

3.3 To establish new industrial areas, expand the existing industrial areas and to improve

available services therein.

3.4 To set up special industrial parks to provide common infrastructure and services by

adopting cluster approach for the development of industries which have not been developed

inspite of availability of abundant resources.

3.5 To identify and promote such non-traditional industries for which good potential exists in

the State due to availability of necessary resources.

3.6 To provide special directed incentives to encourage establishment of industries by the

weaker classes and in the economically backward areas of the State.

3.7 To provide special incentives to small scale and cottage industries to create employment

opportunities in the industrial sector in the least possible time throughout the State.

3.8 To provide incentives to industrial units for technology upgradation and modernization to

enable them to face the challenges of global competition.

3.9 To make arrangements for skill improvement, training and guidance of younger sections

to enable them to seek maximum possible employment.

3.10 To provide special package necessary for rehabilitation of sick and closed industrial

units.

3.11 To establish an effective system of "single point contact" and "time bound clearance"

for providing requisite facilities, services and statutory clearances for investment.

4. Action Plan

4.1 Basic infrastructure

4.1.1 Special efforts will be made for the supply of uninterrupted and quality power to

industries by the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board / its successor power distribution

undertaking(s). To meet the requirement of power of industries, incentives will be given for

captive power generation.

66

4.1.2 An assessment of the availability of water for industrial use will be made and, apart

from other measures to meet the water requirement of industries, a time bound programme of

construction of anicuts in the rivers and nallahs in which summer water discharge is low, will

be undertaken.

4.1.3 All necessary efforts will be made and steps taken for early commencement of work on

Dalli-Rajhara-Raoghat-Jagdalpur rail line project.

4.1.4 The existing industrial areas, industrial parks, export zones, etc. and those to be set up

in future, will be connected by excellent roads with the national / state highways and

important railway stations.

4.1.5 Both domestic and foreign capital and public private partnership will be encouraged in

the basic infrastructure projects.

4.2 Industrial infrastructure

4.2.1 For planning and development of basic infrastructure for new industries, initiative will

be taken for preparation of an "Industrial Zoning Atlas".

4.2.2 To ensure balanced regional development in the State, industrial areas will be

developed at suitable sites near each district headquarter for small scale and medium

industries.

4.2.3 Development of private industrial areas will be encouraged.

4.2.4 Cluster approach will be adopted for setting up of new industries and suitable areas will

be identified for development of herbal park, food park, aluminium park, metal park, cycle

complex, apparel park, IT park, gem and jewelery park, etc.

4.2.5 In the industrial areas and parks, State Government will ensure availability of essential

common facilities like laboratory, quality certification, cold storage, etc.

4.2.6 Provision of roads, water supply, power supply and other common facilities, their up-

gradation and maintenance will be taken up from the State's own resources and through

special purpose vehicles to be set up under the industrial infrastructure upgradation scheme

of the Government of India.

4.2.7 To promote exports from the State, efforts will be made to set up "special economic

zone", "agro export zone" and "air cargo complex", and for upgradation of facilities in the

existing "inland container depot".

67

4.2.8 For setting up industries, particularly large and mega industrial units, outside the

industrial areas and parks, government revenue land and private land will be acquired and

made available to investors through Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation.

4.2.9 Initiatives will be taken for setting up residential facilities close to the industrial areas

through the State Housing Board and other agencies in the government and private sector.

4.3 Administrative and legal reforms

4.3.1 The system of "single point contact" for according approvals and clearances for

investment will be put in place. For this purpose, an administrative complex will be built in

the State capital Raipur to house all the agencies connected with industrial investment

promotion.

4.3.2 With a view to create enabling environment for promotion of industrial investment, an

institutional arrangement will be put in place by constituting a State Level Industry Advisory

Board headed by the Chief Minister for periodic consultation and interaction with industrial

associations, investors, subject experts, etc.

4.3.3 District Investment Promotion Committees and the State Industrial Promotion Board

constituted under the Chhattisgarh Industrial Investment Promotion Act, 2002 will be

strengthened for effectiveness. The system of deemed approvals in cases of failure of

concerned government agencies to accord investment clearances within the specified time

limit, will be put in place.

4.3.4 For giving various statuary and administrative clearances to investors, state and district

level nodal agencies will be put in place to work as "single point of investor contact" that will

be responsible for facilitating all necessary clearances.

4.3.5 Necessary steps will be taken for simplification of labour laws.

4.4 Directed Incentives

4.4.1 Directed Incentives will be provided for industrial investment in the State in the form of

interest subsidy, infrastructure development / capital investment subsidy, exemption from

electricity duty, exemption from stamp duty, exemption from entry tax, allotment of plots at

concessional premium in industrial areas, exemption from land diversion fee, reimbursement

of project report expenses, quality certification subsidy, technology patent subsidy, interest

subsidy for technology up-gradation, etc.

68

4.4.2 For providing directed incentives, various districts of the State have been divided

in the following two categories:-

(i) General area - All districts except those mentioned in clause (ii) below;

(ii) Most backward scheduled tribe dominant areas - Areas comprising South Bastar

(Dantewara), Bastar, North Bastar (Kanker), Koria, Surguja and Jashpur districts.

4.4.3 Investors have been classified in the following three categories:-

(i) Investors from scheduled castes / scheduled tribes;

(ii) Non-Resident Indians and investors bringing 100 percent FDI; and

(iii) General category investors - All other investors except (i) and (i) above.

4.4.4 On the basis of size of investment, industries have been classified in the following

four categories:-

(i) Small scale industries - As defined by the Government of India from time to time;

(ii) Medium-Large industries - Industries with total capital investment up to

Rs. 100 crore except the small scale industries;

(iii) Mega projects - Large industries with total capital investment between Rs.

100 crore and Rs. 1000 crore; and

(iv) Very large industries with total capital investment of over Rs. 1000 crore.

4.4.5 From the angle of importance of industry, industries have been classified in the

following three categories:-

(i) Negative list industries - Industries included in Annexure-2, which will not be entitled

for any directed incentives;

(ii) Special thrust industries - Industries shown in Annexure-3, which will be entitled for

additional directed incentives; and

(iii) General industries - All industries except those included in the negative list and special

thrust industries.

69

4.4.6 Directed incentives provided in this policy will be available to the following

industrial undertakings:-

(i) New industrial projects - All such industrial units, which commence commercial

production between 1st November, 2004 and 31st October, 2009.

(ii) Expansion projects of existing industrial units in production - Such

industrial units in production on 1st November 2004, which expand their production capacity

(installed capacity or three years' actual average production immediately prior to the date of

implementation of expansion project, whichever is higher) by at least 25% with a minimum

investment of Rs. 25 crore and commence production from the expansion project before 31st

October 2009.

4.4.7 Investors belonging to different categories, setting up small scale, medium-large and

mega industrial projects in different areas of the State will be entitled to directed incentives

4.4.8 Non-Resident Indians and investors bringing 100 percent FDI will be entitled to 5

percent extra incentives over and above the directed incentives available to general category

investors in the same area.

4.4.9 Entitlement of directed incentives to expansion projects of the existing producing

industrial units will be equivalent to the directed incentives available, as the case may be, to

medium-large or mega industry in the general area.

4.4.10 Entitlement of directed incentives to industrial projects in Rs. 1000 crore plus capital

investment category will be equivalent to the maximum available directed incentives to mega

projects in most backward scheduled tribes predominant areas.

4.4.11 Directed incentives (exemptions / concessions) will be available only to those

industrial undertakings which employ, in the case of unskilled labour at least 90 percent, in

the case of skilled workers at least 50 percent, and in the case administrative posts at least

1/3rd persons domiciled in the State.

4.4.12 The investors, who had taken effective steps for setting up their industrial units prior

to 1st November 2004, but commercial production had not commenced up to the appointed

day, will have the option to avail of the benefit of the package of exemptions / concessions

provided for in the Industrial Policy 2001- 2006.

4.4.13 Public sector undertakings of the Government of India or any State Government

(except their joint ventures with private companies) will not be entitled to directed incentives

(exemptions / concessions) under this policy.

70

4.5 Private sector participation

4.5.1 Private sector investment will be encouraged in the areas of basic infrastructure and

industrial infrastructure and an enabling environment will be created for this purpose.

4.5.2 Public sector undertakings will be encouraged to form joint ventures, particularly in the

area of mining, with the private companies making investments for value addition within the

State.

4.5.3 Private sector participation in infrastructure building will be encouraged, particularly in

the following areas:-

(i) Basic infrastructure like roads, power, water supply, housing;

(ii) Industrial infrastructure such as development of industrial areas and parks, cluster

development;

(iii) Logistics infrastructure like air-cargo complex, inland container depot, ware housing,

logistics hub; and

(iv) Social infrastructure like health, education, tourism.

4.6 Foreign capital investment / export promotion

4.6.1 Assessment / survey of State's export potential will be undertaken through a national

level institute / agency.

4.6.2 An action plan will be prepared for promotion of export oriented units, to be

implemented by availing of the benefit of various export promotion schemes of the

Government of India.

4.6.3 Initiatives will be taken for creation of infrastructure necessary for promotion of

exports.

4.6.4 To attract investment by non-resident Indians, arrangements will be made for inviting

them individually, and in groups, and organizing their meetings / dialogue with the local

entrepreneurs.

4.6.5 With a view to familiarize entrepreneurs with the export laws and regulations,

workshops, seminars and training programmes will be organized with the help and co-

operation of exporters and export related institutions.

71

4.6.6 Financial incentives will made available to industrial units to encourage technology up-

gradation, patent registration and research and development.

4.6.7 Additional financial incentives will be provided for investment by non-resident Indians

and for foreign direct investment.

4.7 Rehabilitation of sick and closed industrial units

4.7.1 A simplified system will be developed for identification of sick industrial units,

systematic information will be collected about industries moving towards sickness and

appropriate measures will be taken to make them viable.

Industrial Policy corrected 14.12.04 - English.doc 10

4.7.2 Industry category wise rehabilitation schemes, with the provision of financial and non

financial exemptions / concessions, will be prepared for closed and sick small scale

industries. For closed / sick medium and large industries, special rehabilitation package will

be prepared as per the need.

4.8 Promotion of small scale and village industries

4.8.1 Having regard to the fact that maximum employment opportunities are generated in the

small scale and rural industries sector, incentives for establishment of these industries have

been rationalized and improved in this policy.

4.8.2 For development and promotion of handloom and handicrafts, the existing institutional

arrangements for the training and marketing will be strengthened.

4.8.3 In addition to increasing the production and productivity of tusser, measures will be

taken for strengthening the tusser based industries and the existing marketing facilities for

tusser products.

4.9 Human Resource Development

4.9.1 An assessment will be made of the existing training facilities and the future

requirement of skilled man power in the State, and measures will be taken to meet the gap

between the requirement and the actual availability.

4.9.2 To ensure that skilled youths become available to the industries in the state, State

Government will provide incentives to increase the presently available specialties in the

training institutions, both in the private and government sector.

72

4.9.3 Efforts will be made to inspire / persuade the private sector and the owners of existing

industrial units to set up new technical institutions. For this purpose, in addition to

concessional land, other necessary assistance will also be provided.

4.10 Monitoring of implementation of Industrial Policy

Monitoring of implementation of this Industrial Policy will be done by the State Industrial

Investment Promotion Board and its high powered inter-departmental committee, in which

representatives of the industry will be specially invited as per the need.

73

3.1 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL POLICY 04-09

Herbal and Forest medicines processing, auto components-spares-bicycle,

aluminium based down stream products, food processing, pharmaceuticals, electronic

products, white goods (refrigerator, air-conditioner, washing machine etc), generating

electricity from non-conventional sources are now in the category of ‘special thrust

industries’, these industries would now get more rebate-concessions.

Industries at the backward or tribal dominated areas would get more rebate-

concessions.

Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, NRIs and investors with 100 per cent Foreign

Direct Investment (FDI) would get concessions more than the others.

Expanding the limits of special provision for backward and tribal districts, as

compared to the other districts, from Dantewara and Koriya to Bastar, Kanker, Sarguja and

Jashpur. To provide free land to those investors from SC/ST categories, 50% land in

industrial areas, and 25% land in the other districts would be kept reserved.

Special provision to provide jobs to the Chhattisgarh residents; concessions linked

to providing 90% unskilled and 50% skilled labourers-technicians and one-third of the

administrative jobs to the local residents.

Reducing the service charges on possessing land from 30% to 15%.

NRIs and investors with 100% FDI would be given 5% more concessions as

compared to other investors.

Existing industries can get the benefit of the new industrial units if they invest a

minimum of Rs.25 crores and expand their production capacity to 25%.

Benefits of infrastructure/grant in capital investment till 9 years and up to 100%

rebate equivalent to the commercial tax payment.

74

3.2 INDUSTRIAL PARKS

Chhattisgarh has one of the foremost industrial parks of the country in Bhilai that

houses numerous ancillary industries around the country’s most profitable steel plant in the

public sector. There is a similar concentration of industries in Korba, with power plants of

the National Thermal Power Corporation, the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board and

aluminium producing unit Balco.

Besides these two major clusters, there are a number of high quality industrial parks in

the State. The State’s surplus and quality power means there are no power cuts, and

continuous process industries are relocating to the State.

The highly productive labour force and peaceful law and order are catalyzing this

process. Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) has also

developed land available in its industrial growth centers – Urla and Siltara (Raipur), Borai

(Durg), Sirgitti (Bilaspur) and Anjani. Thrust sectors in Chhattisgarh’s new industrial

policy include large, core-sector industries. The State encourages private sector investment in

new industrial parks for which land is provided by the Government. A successful industrial

park has already come up in Raigarh. To promote cluster based industrial development,

assistance is being provided for establishing common facilities covering quality improvement

and technology upgradation, market promotion and technical skills, with assistance of upto

Rs.20 million per cluster. Private corporates and estates are also allowed to install Captive

Power Plants to generate and distribute power directly within the estate without any

restrictions.

An Industrial Estate (IE) is a self-contained geographical area with high quality infrastructure

facilities, which house businesses of an industrial nature. An industrial estate is administered

or managed by a single authority that has a defined jurisdiction with respect to tenant

companies. The authority makes provisions for operation and management; enforcing

restrictions on tenants and planning with respect to lot sizes, access and utilities.

The Industrial Estates offer industrial, residential and commercial areas with developed plots/

pre-built factories, power, telecom, water, sanitation and other civic amenities such as

hospital, sewerage and drainage facilities, security etc. The main targets of Industrial Estates

75

are the high value adding small and medium scale industries, which do not have the

wherewithal to invest in developing their own basic infrastructure facilities, but have the

capacity to pay for the services provided to them. Hence, Industrial Estates are regions where

infrastructure facilities are provided for and thus a conducive environment is created to

attract small and medium scale industries.

ADVANTAGES OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES

Industrial Estates can positively influence the socio-economic development and

industrialization of the region by:

Attracting investments

Generating employment

Leveraging on raw material sources, skilled manpower resources, proximity to end-

use markets, etc.

Adding to and improving social infrastructure in terms of healthcare and

educational facilities

Industrial Estates have led to the development of large urban regions especially in the States

of Gujarat and Maharashtra, wherein large-scale city/ town development has taken place.

Bharuch, Vapi and Valsad in Gujarat and Nashik and Nagpur in Maharashtra are examples of

such developments.

PROPOSED PARKS:

Food Park:

The state is developing Food processing Park at Borai in Durg district.

More than 300 units are expected in this food park.

Aluminium Park:

The state proposes to develop an aluminium park for downstream products.

It will house more than 100 industrial units to manufacture various aluminium products

required in civil aviation, automobile and construction sectors.

76

Apparel Park:

The state is developing a new Apparel Park in Raipur for apparel and clothing units to target

both the domestic and export market.

Herbal Park:

The state has proposed to set up a Herbal Park to utilize the potential in medicinal, aromatic

and dye plants.

GOVERNMENT’S ROLE AND POLICIES:

Promotion of industrial parks was given a boost by the Government of India towards the end

of the first five-year plan (1952-57) when the ‘Industrial Estates Development Program’ was

initiated. The role of the Central Government in the establishment and upkeep of Industrial

Estates in India has been mainly that of laying down the guidelines for the State

Governments.

The responsibility for the selection of sites, development of areas, construction of

infrastructure facilities etc., has been the mandate of the State Governments. Subsequently,

State Governments created undertakings like the State Industrial Development Corporation

(SIDC) to execute this mandate.

Some of the roles of SIDCs include:

Setting up infrastructure facilities to promote industrial growth by setting up

industrial parks

Identifying and promoting industrial projects

Providing financial participation in terms of term loans and direct equity

participation

Handling the operations of the industrial parks

ROLE OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

The State Government must recognize the importance of Industrial Estates and take a

proactive stance towards their development. The first step in this regard would be to

formulate a long-term policy for the promotion of industrial parks. This policy must address

issues like location identification, land acquisition and the institutional framework. The

77

institutional framework would have to accommodate private sector participation, in order to

catalyze the growth of industrial parks. However, the private sector would be attracted only if

a profit potential exists.

CHHATTISGARH STATE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION:

The Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) is the promotional

agency set up by the State Government to improve the industrial growth and industrial

infrastructure of the State. Its main objectives are:

Develop the industrial infrastructure of the State.

Act as the promoter of industries in the State and as a liaison between industry and

the private sector. In this role, the CSIDC conducts potential surveys for setting up of

industries

Chhattisgarh’s industrial estates have the necessary infrastructure like roads, street lights,

water supply, and shopping complex, communications network, banking services,

warehouses, weigh bridges, petrol pumps, dispensary, police station and a school. A fire

station is in the offing in this area. A container freight station has also been established here,

wherein all custom formalities are fulfilled.

SCOPE OF INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN CHHATTISGARH

Industrial estates can spur economic growth in Chhattisgarh by promoting several small and

medium scale industries in the region. Since setting up industrial units in Chhattisgarh gives

natural competitive advantages to several categories of industries on account of:

Nearness to raw materials : The rich mineral deposits in the State provide

opportunity for setting up Industrial Estates near the source of raw materials where it would

be beneficial for the small and medium scale industries. These are also the areas that offer

potential for setting up Industrial Estates which would house the mineral processing units.

Another group of industries, which could benefit from the same source of competitive

78

advantage, are cement/ steel and aluminium downstream industries for which the raw

materials sources are large core industries.

Nearness to market : Chhattisgarh does not provide a huge market for inducing the

industries to set up shop to exploit the market potential. However, the presence of large core

industries in the region provides opportunity for ancillary units to set up their industrial units

near these mother units. The areas of Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg already have growth centres.

To ensure equitable regional development, Chhattisgarh should identify new sites for setting

up Industrial Estates. This could be in districts like Dantewada, Janjgir and Surguja, which

could house the mineral processing and downstream industries for iron, cement and

Aluminum respectively. However, a detailed study comprising of locational analysis,

demand estimation and potential survey would need to be undertaken to establish economic

viability of Industrial estates in these districts.

79

3.3 GROWTH CENTRES

Chhattisgarh’s stated policy is to focus on creating top quality industrial infrastructure

to make industries in the State the most efficient and cost-competitive, rather than sharing out

any short-term subsidies. Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC)

has given developed land to 700 industries with an investment of over Rs.14 billion ($300

million) in its growth centers, providing direct employment to 25,000 people. These growth

centres include Urla and Siltara in Raipur, Borai in Durg and Sirgitti and Anjani in Bilaspur.

Using satellite-generated maps, new industrial areas are being identified and developed,

while large tracts of land have been reserved and earmarked in various districts for mega-

projects. The process of allotment of land and all other clearances is quick and hassle free,

with the single point if investor contact.

Urla: The Industrial Growth Centre in Urla, near Raipur city is spread over 815 hectares.

There are separate and dedicated power substations. It has around 60 medium and large scale

industries and 550 small scale industries. Over Rs.4 billion (85.10 million) has been invested

in Urla, which provides employment to over 16000 people. It has all the civic amenities and

Dry Port (Container Freight Station) has been established nearby for customs formalities for

exports and imports.

Siltara: The Siltara growth centre is 13 kilometres from Raipur. It has an area of 1260

hectares. Its water supply scheme is being upgraded through a weir on Kharun River already

constructed as a joint venture with private participation. There are 300 medium and large

80

scale enterprises and 9 small scale industries. A power generating unit in the private sector

has also established its operations here. About Rs.7 billion ($150 million) has been invested

in this centre, employing 1500 people. Future projects include sponge iron units, Ferro alloy

unit, and cooking gas bottling plant. The infrastructure here includes 23 kilometres of

internal roads and two petrol pumps besides other amenities.

Borai: The Borai Industrial Area in Durg district is the best example of a Private-Public

Partnership in industrial water supply in India. Borai is located next to the Durg by-pass on

Mumbai-Kolkata national highway, constructed on a build-operate transfer basis. A railway

station is just 500 meters away. The growth center sprawls over 437 hectares, and 80 hectares

is available for allotment at present with an expansion underway. Thirteen kilometers of

internal roads have been constructed and the best part is assured water supply. It has medium

– to – large scale, and 27 small scale enterprises. More than Rs. 1.15 billion ($24.5million)

has been invested and an estimated 1,300 people are employed in this industrial area.

Sirgitti: Bilaspur district has a new Industrial Growth Centre in Sirgitti, which is spread over

430 hectares. It has several medium and large scale industries and around 200 small scale

units. An investment of Rs. 930 millions provides employment to 4500 people. Bilaspur,

being a Railway zone and the headquarters of Coalfields Ltd., it has many ancillary units in

the area.

Raigarh: A part from CSIDC’s industrial areas, a private industrial area has been established

on an area of 300 hectares by a private corporate. The package offered by the private

developer includes, among other amenities, supply of power at an attractive tariff for a period

of five years.

81

3.4 GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

Development of basic infrastructure at all the tourist spots and on the highways.

Development of Integrated Tourist Circuit “Kawardha – Raipur – Barnawapara –

Sirpur – Gangrel dam – Kondagaon – Bastar – Nagarnar” with the help of financial

assistance from Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Creation of Tourism Advisory Council at the district level.

To develop Rural Tourism in tribal villages of Nagarnar & Chitrakote with the

assistance of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

Rajmergarh (Amarkantak) and Manipat to be developed as hill stations; Sirpur to be

developed as a major Buddhist Centre.

Opening up of Tourist offices in Mumbai, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal and

Bhubaneshwar

Lokatsav – to be organized in all the districts on the lines of Bastar Dussehra and

Rajim Mahotsav

Provide employment to the educated youth through Tourism.

E-governance in Chhattisgarh is oriented towards ensuring people’s access to

Government. This makes the Government even more responsive and transparent. People can

access a video-conference based Public Grievance Redress System to interact regularly with

the Chief Minister and other functionaries. CHOiCE (Chhattisgarh Online information for

Citizen Empowerment) is a State-wide e-governance project, being implemented by the focal

82

agency for IT, CHiPS (Chhattisgarh InfoTech Promotion Society) headed by the Chief

Minister.

All Government functionaries are easily accessible and Chief Minister has an hour-

long Jan Darshan every morning where he meets people with no prior appointment.

To eliminate formalities and procedural hassles in getting all sorts of clearances, a

special law has been enacted- the Chhattisgarh Investment Promotion Act, 2002, this lays

down statutory time limits for all clearances, to be given by a single Point-of-Investor

Contact. Facilitation services for the Investor and time bound approvals are thus guaranteed

by law in Chhattisgarh.

The government keeps out of activities that can be done more efficiently by the

private sector. There are no more than six public sector units.

The State’s vision has lays special stress on achieving a “Developed State” status by

2010. For this the State cabinet meets regularly and decisions come quickly. All Government

functionaries are easily accessible and the Chief Minister has an hour-long public meeting

“Jan Darshan” every alternate morning where he meets people with no prior appointment.

Decentralized governance has been firmly established in Chhattisgarh. The State

Secretariat has an organic linkage with the local government in urban and rural areas, as well

as district officials.

The single contact point at the State level – the State Investment Promotion Board,

headed by the Chief Minister as the Chairperson has been created by the Chhattisgarh

Industrial Investment Promotion Board 2002, for projects above Rs.50 million ($ 1.06

million)

For projects below Rs.50 million, a district level single point of contact called the

District Investment Promotion Board has been set up, with the District Collector as

Chairperson.

83

CHAPTER # 04

84

WHY

CHHATTISGARH?

4. WHY CHHATTISGARH?

4.1 EXISTING INDUSTRIES

Coal : Chhattisgarh is an important player in coal sector. Presently the sector is dominated by

public sector undertakings, but the private sector is also coming in this sector in terms of

captive mines for industrial development.

Cement : Chhattisgarh is famous for its cement industry. There are eight large units accounting

for around 20 per cent of India’s cement production.

85

Iron and Steel : The state is the iron and steel hub of the country. The Bhilai Steel Plant of

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) produces over four million tonnes per annum of iron and

steel. Substantial capacities have been set up in the private sector as well. Twenty Per cent of

India’s sponge iron production comes from Chhattisgarh. Instead of exploring iron ore or

steel, the government would concentrate on maximum value addition within the State.

Aluminium : Chhattisgarh can soon boast of having the largest aluminium plants in the country

at Korba. The plant is quadrupling its capacity to 4,00,000 tonnes per annum. The State

prospers to develop an aluminium park for downstream products. It will house more than

1000 units to manufacture various aluminium products for civil aviation, automobile and

construction sectors.

Power : The State is developing as the power hub of India. National Thermal Power

Corporation produces 2100 megawatts at Korba and is setting up another plant at Sipat. A

number of plants have been set up in the private sector for captive consumption. Two large

power projects are coming up at a fast pace.

4.2 STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Strengths:

Rich in mineral wealth.

Abundant Forest Resources.

Surplus Power.

Hard working and low cost labour.

Favourable industrial climate.

Sound fiscal position.

86

Good connectivity.

Opportunities:

New state advantage.

Energy deficit in the country.

Fast growing demand for steel and aluminium.

Large global market for herbal medicine and herbal dyes.

Location-logistic hub.

Service industry.

Partnerships with the government.

4.3 POTENTIAL AREAS FOR INVESTMENT

Thermal power generation.

Mineral based Industries:

. Iron & Steel

. Aluminium

. Tin & Corundum

87

. Cement

Prospecting for precious minerals and base metals.

Food processing industry.

Medicinal, Aromatic & dye plants - based industries.

Power generation – rice bran and other non-conventional energy sources.

Development of private sector industrial parks and other infrastructure.

88

CHAPTER # 05

INTERVIEWS

5. INTERVIEWS

5.1 INTERVIEW OF THE CHIEF MINISTERDR. RAMAN SINGH

A medical practitioner and a man of the masses, the Chief Minister of Chattisgarh is a self

made manager. Coming from a humble background, the soft- spoken Dr. Raman Singh began

89

his political journey in the mid- 1970s. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Rajnandgaon

in 1999 and inducted as a minister in the NDA government at the Centre. He returned to

Chhattisgarh to lead his party to a thumping victory in the first elections of the new state.

Despite his hectic schedule, Dr. Singh took time off to talk to Rajesh Kumar about his plans

for the state.

Q. What’s your vision for the state?

A. I see Chhattisgarh as the country’s number one state in days to come, be it power, iron,

steel or aluminium sectors. We have other potential sectors like diamond, alexandrite and tin

in the state. These can be further augmented for the region’s growth. Despite having

tremendous potential, Chhattisgarh is lagging behind financially for years. With the creation

of Chhattisgarh as a new state, people see their hopes and aspirations coming closer to

realization.

The biggest challenge before my government is to check the evacuation of our human and

natural resources. We are evolving ways and means to somehow stop local people from

looking elsewhere for greener pastures. If we are able to ensure employment locally to

people, why would they look elsewhere? If we are able to do it, we will emerge as a model

state.

Q. How do you see the state’s infrastructure?

A. With an eye on tourism, the existing infrastructure is being strengthened and the network

of roads is being augmented. We have far better roads as compared to our neighbours. Not

only national highways and state roads, even roads connecting to remote, rural areas are in

good condition. For further upgradation of these a massive plan is likely to be approved soon

by Asian Development Bank.

From Durg to Bhilai and from Rajnandgaon to Nagpur, construction of a six land road is on.

We will spend Rs. 6 crore, over a year, from the Prime Minister’s Rural Road Fund for this.

We will have a basic infrastructure in place within a year.

As regards air connectivity, we have daily flights for Mumbai and Delhi, besides regular

flights for Bhubaneshwar, Nagpur and Chennai. We have reasonably good airports at

Sarguja, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur. In power sector, we are already providing uninterrupted

and quality power supply not only to industries but also to farmers and domestic consumers.

90

Q. Any specific measures to put Chhattisgarh on the country’s tourist map?

A. The state has a vast tourism potential. We have Chitrakote Falls, which are second only to

the world famous Niagara Falls. Chhattisgarh Tourism is projecting Bastar’s Dussehra as a

major attraction to domestic and foreign tourists. We are proud to have the country’s only

music university, the Khairagarh Sangeet Vishvavidyalaya. Here, very soon we will have a

three day Chhattisgarh Utsav. Likewise we plan several other regional festivals that will

boost the local economy and also give exposure to our local geniuses. Other tourist

attractions include the 11th – century temple of Bhoramdeo, which people compare to

Khajuraho; Champaranya, the birth place of the 15 th – century saint Vallabhcharya; Sirpur,

which boasts of the country’s only temple dedicated to Lakshamana; and the beautiful caves

at Kutumsar and temples at Ratanpur and Dongargarh Ma Bamleswari are other crowd

pullers in the state.

Our tourism ministry is already building motels and refreshment joints along the NH. We

will soon have tourist information centres in various cities. We will also hold road shows and

exhibitions across the country to promote Chhattisgarh as a great tourist destination. The

forests spreading from Bastar to Sarguja hold great tourism potential, which my government

is trying to exploit for the region’s development.

Q. Initiating development while preserving adivasi identity is not easy. How will you

achieve this?

A. To undertake developmental works in the adivasi areas, we move very cautiously. Our

officials have been sensitized to respect their sentiments.

We have adivasi development councils, with MPs, MLAs and other representatives as their

members. They discuss various problems confronting the adivasi areas and prioritize them.

The state government simply implements these. This gives the adivasi population a sense of

involvement and they don’t suspect our motives.

Q. Brief us on the major welfare schemes.

A. Given that Chhattisgarh has 44 per cent of forest cover and a majority of adivasi

population lives on agriculture, we have made a budgetary provision of Rs. 750 crore for

91

irrigation. Besides, my government is committed to forest development. We have also

constituted the Bastar and Sarguja Development Authorities, of which Individual am the

chairman. We are spending Rs. 600 crore towards poverty alleviation. The government is

encouraging the adivasis to grow medicinal plants. We are promoting minor forest produce,

the annual turnover of which is worth Rs. 300 crore.

Q. Chhattisgarh has vast mineral resources. How does your government plan to make

use of these?

A. True, we have vast mineral resources. We have sponge iron, steel, tin, bauxite,

alexandrite, diamond and coal. Our policies allow only those who set up industries

infrastructure the state to exploit minerals and natural resources here. Several industrialists

and NRIs are investing infrastructure in the state, which is a healthy sign. BALCO alone is

investing Rs 5000 crore towards a 900- MW power plant.

But power transmission is a problem. We have sanctioned Rs 600 crore towards

strengthening the transmission network. We will have another 500- MW plant at Korba

functioning before schedule. We are perhaps the only state to generate about 150 MW power

from a non- conventional source like rice husk. By 2015, Chhattisgarh will be able to

generate an additional 15,000 MW of power.

5.2 INTERVIEW OF TOURISM MINISTERBRIJMOHAN AGGARWAL

“WE ARE EMERGING AS AN ECO- AND ETHNIC-TOURIST DESTINATION”

Chhattisgarh Tourism Minister Brijmohan Aggarwal is confident that the state will create a

niche for itself on India’s Tourist map.

Interview by Rajesh Kumar

92

Q: Chhattisgarh has tremendous tourism potential. What specific initiatives have you

taken to bring the “Emerald State” on the country’s Tourism map?

A: We are fast emerging as an eco- and ethnic-tourist destination. Our Government is also

promoting the state as a land” Full of Surprises”. So our focus is on the state’s lesser known

facets. Very few know, for example, that Chitrakot Falls in Bastar are India’s biggest

waterfalls; that Bastar’s Hill Myna can imitate the Human voice better than any other bird;

and the Khairagarh Sangeet Vishvavidyalaya is Asia’s only Music University for music and

arts, or that the Buddhist site at Sirpur is four times bigger than Nalanda.

The recent excavations at Sirpur have received world attention for the excavations there;

we have secured support from the Archaeological Survey of India. A master plan to develop

Sirpur as a great Buddhist site is already in the pipeline. Similarly, a plan for an all-round

development for Bastar-which is the home to the country’s aboriginal tribes and is the most

sought after destination from tourist and academics points of view-is at the execution stage.

Very soon we will have tourist information centres in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai,

Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Hyderabad and other cities. We have already declared tourism as an

Industry and all the benefits accruing thereof would be extended to the tourism centre. New

hotels would be exempted from commercial taxes, luxury taxes. New ventures in the

recreation sector would also be exempted from entertainment tax.

Also Chhattisgarh has 44% of the country’s forest areas enveloping vast potential for eco

tourism. With in a year’s time, Chhattisgarh will be able to create a niche for itself in the

Country’s Tourist map.

Q) Do you have any plans to hold heritage/ regional festivals in various places of the

state?

A: Bastar’s Dussehra is, of course, a great attraction for people from across the globe. A

three day Chhattisgarh Utsav at Khairagarh Sangeet Vishvavidyalaya is in the offering. The

annual Chakradhar Samaroh in Raigarh in memory of Raja Chakradhar Singh, a great tabla

player and dancer who developed the Raigarh Gharana, is another great event. Similarly, we

have the Bhoramdeo Utsav every year. The Government has also decided to further stimulate

these heritage festivals. To boost pilgrimage tourism in the state, we have decided to connect

93

the three Shakti- peeths, at Danteshwari Mai, in Dantewara, Ma Bamleswari in Dongargarh

and Mahamaya temple in Ratanpur, and equip them with the best infrastructural facilities and

thereby promote the temple circuit.

CONCLUSION

Chhattisgarh is moving fast to assume another nickname – the Power Hub of India –

and discard the old one – The Rice Bowl of India. From feeding as many as 600 rice mills

and earning about Rs 215.67 crores from forest resources, Chhattisgarh today stands at the

threshold of covering half the power demand and supply gap in the country. The state has

already tied up over 5000 MW of power generation in one year alone.

94

With 28 different minerals, including diamonds, Chhattisgarh has the distinction of

being the country’s richest state in terms of mineral wealth, thus poised to become one of the

most industrialized states in the country. The largest coal deposits, India’s entire Tin ore,

country’s one fifth of iron ore, rich deposits of bauxite, limestone, dolomite, corundum and

several other minerals are Chhattisgarh’s exclusive preserve.

Huge deposits of coal, iron ore and limestone make Chhattisgarh the most ideal

location for lowest cost of thermal-power generation in the entire country and hence the most

preferred destination for all power intensive industries. Durg, Raipur, Korba and Bilaspur

districts have unleashed a kind of Industrial revolution in Chhattisgarh. While Bilaspur and

Durg are home to a number of large scale cement plants, Korba is amongst the leading power

generation centers of the country besides some aluminium and explosive factories.

Jagdalpur is famous for its wood, bamboo, iron and bell-metal crafts. There are a number of

shops where you can buy handicrafts. The Nagarnar village has some award winning weavers

and craftsmen in terracotta and wrought iron. The Jagdalpur jail has a handicraft outlet as

well. The Kosa centre here has the very rare Railley Silk.

A unit of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) ltd., Bhilai Steel Plant produces 3.6

million tonnes of saleable steel annually. The plant has the distinction of supplying the widest

and heaviest plates in India, besides being the only established supplier of rails to the Indian

Railways. NTPC’s Korba Super Thermal Power Station is one of Asia’s biggest power

plants. It stands fifth in terms of power generation. This power station has 6 units, three of

200 MW each and three of 500 MW each. With minerals and energy galore, Chhattisgarh is

sure to be amongst most industrialized states of the country sooner than later.

BIBLOGRAPHY

Parallel Interactive Sessions with the State Governments

Chhattisgarh Session at Lotus, Hilton Towers

Day II - Saturday, 8th January 2005 organized by

95

FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries)

Reference Books :

Mineral based industries in Chhattisgarh – Mineral Resources Department, Government of

Chhattisgarh.

Shabari – Arts and Crafts in Chhattisgarh.

Green Herbal Chhattisgarh.

Industrial Policy 2004 – 2009 – Department of Commerce, Industry & Public Undertaking.

Chhattisgarh – An Investors Guide.

Discover India – A Media Transasia Publication.

Websites :

www.google.com

www.economictimes.com

96