Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla said the situation in 50 villages across two blocks of Balaghat is now fully under control, highlighting expanded healthcare, administrative access and development work in the once Naxal-affected region.
Speaking to the media on September 30, Shukla also criticised Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his visit to Balaghat, alleging that the Congress leader was trying to gain political mileage from issues in the region. Shukla said that greater sensitivity should have been shown when the area faced difficult conditions.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Balaghat had remained affected by Naxalism for years, but the government now claims that improved security has allowed administration and essential services to reach remote communities more effectively.
Health Services Expanded in Remote Balaghat
Shukla said the government has focused not only on controlling Naxalism but also on bringing residents of remote areas into the mainstream of development.
According to him, the administration has expanded the reach of Anganwadi and ASHA workers and worked towards wider coverage of vaccination, ORS-zinc distribution and other civic and health services. Additional Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) have also been posted.
The government’s recent health measures in Balaghat have included the deployment of new medical officers and approval of additional health facilities. In September, the Deputy CM had reviewed the district’s health system and directed officials to ensure full vaccination, timely registration of pregnant women and stronger healthcare access in remote areas.
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More Doctors Posted at Primary Health Centres
Shukla said more than 3,100 doctors have been posted across remote primary health centres in Madhya Pradesh, with more than 2,600 having already joined their posts.
He said the move is expected to address the shortage of doctors that has affected primary healthcare in several remote areas.
Primary Health Centres generally serve populations of around 25,000 to 30,000 people. The strengthened facilities are expected to provide free diagnostic services and medicines along with care for maternal and child health, diabetes, blood pressure and other common conditions.
Serious patients can be referred to district hospitals and medical colleges when required. Shukla said the state is working to strengthen primary healthcare along with secondary and tertiary care.
14 New Health Facilities in Two Blocks
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government has approved 14 new health facilities in the two most affected blocks of Balaghat.
The expansion includes:
- One existing Primary Health Centre being upgraded into a 30-bed Community Health Centre
- Two new Primary Health Centres
- Two new Community Health Centres
- Ten new Sub-Health Centres
The government has also strengthened the field-level network. Four new CDPOs have been posted, while 52 additional Anganwadi worker and helper positions have been filled.
These measures are intended to improve access to healthcare and nutrition services for families living in remote villages.
Institutional Deliveries Rise From 21% to 92%
Shukla highlighted the rise in institutional deliveries as an indicator of the expansion of health services in the region.
According to his statement, institutional deliveries stood at around 21% before 2003 and have now increased to 92%.
He said the government has also worked to address malnutrition while expanding health services. The Chief Minister, Dr Mohan Yadav, is personally monitoring the arrangements, according to Shukla.
The state had earlier directed officials to strengthen maternal healthcare, ensure timely antenatal check-ups and identify high-risk pregnancies in Balaghat.
Naxal-Free Status and Administrative Reach
Shukla linked the improved administrative reach to Balaghat becoming Naxal-free in December 2025.
Madhya Pradesh authorities declared the state free of Naxalism after the surrender of remaining Maoist cadres in Balaghat in December 2025. Akashvani reported that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav subsequently declared Madhya Pradesh free of Naxalism, while police said no hardcore Naxals remained active in the district.
Shukla said that earlier, reaching the last person in remote areas was difficult because of security conditions. With the security situation changing, he said regular reporting, monitoring and administrative outreach have become possible.
He described the expansion of health and civic services in remote villages as part of the wider development process following the end of Naxal influence.
Shukla Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Balaghat Visit
The Deputy Chief Minister also made political remarks about Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Balaghat.
Shukla alleged that Gandhi was attempting to gain political mileage and said the Congress leader should have shown sensitivity towards the problems of Naxal-affected communities when the region was facing more difficult conditions.
He further accused Congress leaders of repeatedly making what he described as misleading statements.
These remarks represent Shukla’s political assessment and were made in the context of the Opposition leader’s visit; they are not independent findings about Gandhi’s intentions.
Focus on Development Alongside Security
Shukla said the government’s approach in Balaghat goes beyond security measures and includes healthcare, nutrition, maternal and child services and administrative outreach.
The expansion of health facilities and field-level workers is particularly significant for remote communities, where distance and difficult terrain can affect access to doctors, medicines and diagnostic services.
With the government reporting improved institutional delivery rates and additional health infrastructure, the focus is now on maintaining regular service delivery in villages that previously had limited administrative access.
The Balaghat experience also reflects a broader challenge for remote districts: security improvements need to translate into reliable public services and everyday development. The state government says the expansion of healthcare and administrative networks is part of that transition.
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