Security Camps Being Developed into Seva Deras to Bring Government Schemes to Remote Villages
Published on: October 26, 2026
By: Dhananjay Rathore
Joint Director, Directorate of Public Relations Location: Rajnandgaon, India
A new chapter of development and trust is being written in Bastar’s villages, which were once deprived of basic amenities because of Naxal violence and difficult terrain. In areas that once lived under the shadow of fear, security camps have now become centres of development and public service. Work is underway on an ambitious plan to develop around 200 security camps in Bastar’s Naxal-affected areas into Veer Shaheed Gundadhur Seva Deras. In the first phase, 70 camps are being converted into these service centres. The initiative has become a new source of support for Bastar’s villagers, providing access to digital services, banking, skill training and self-employment opportunities.
Bastar Joins the Mainstream of Development
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, Bastar is making rapid progress. The Chief Minister says that, with the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the firm resolve of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah, Bastar is becoming free from the Naxalism. The government’s primary objective is to make it one of the country’s most developed tribal regions. Through the ‘Niyad Nella Nar’ Yojna, basic amenities such as roads, electricity, drinking water, education and healthcare are reaching remote areas. Agriculture, animal husbandry and irrigation schemes are steadily increasing rural incomes.
Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera: A Symbol of Good Governance and Public Trust
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the country’s first Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera public facilitation centre at the CRPF camp premises in Netanar, Bastar district, on 18 May 2026. The initiative is now being expanded rapidly.
Netanar is the birthplace of Shaheed Veer Gundadhur, a revered tribal leader of Bastar. During the historic Bhumkal Rebellion of 1910, Gundadhur rose against oppressive British rule to defend tribal identity, dignity and rights over water, forests and land. Today, the Seva Dera established on this historic land has become a new centre for self-reliance and modern development for the tribal community.
Government Services Under One Roof
Earlier, villagers in Bastar had to travel several kilometres even for routine tasks such as obtaining an Aadhaar card, opening a bank account or securing caste and residence certificates. These services are now available close to their villages through the Seva Deras. Residents can access digital services locally, including Aadhaar enrolment and updates, KYC, mobile number linking, and online services for birth, death, income, and caste certificates.
Banking Services Through Bank Sakhis
Women are being trained as Bank Sakhis to provide banking services such as cash withdrawals, deposits and account opening within villages. These centres are also making basic services, including health consultations, Anganwadi services and primary education, more accessible.
Women’s Self-Help Groups Bring Economic Change
The Seva Dera has become an effective link between local resources, traditional skills and markets. In Netanar, members of the Gundadhur Women’s Self-Help Group are processing tamarind to produce high-quality pulp. Group member Lambi Nag says that, through this work, the women are on course to earn up to Rs. 1 lakh annually. The initiative has also made life easier for rural women such as Sukhdevi, who no longer has to travel far to obtain an Aadhaar card for her young daughter.
Women are earning additional income by processing rice using the traditional dhenki and selling it, while also preserving a local tradition. Paddy husk is being used as animal feed. A tailoring training centre is also helping women become self-reliant.
Connecting Bastar with Modern Markets and Better Packaging
Professional institutions are now being engaged to give these products global recognition. Recently, a team from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, visited Netanar to review tailoring, tamarind processing and traditional dhenki-based activities. The team also discussed attractive packaging and branding for the products. These efforts will create opportunities for products made by Bastar’s rural women to reach national and international markets.
This journey from security camps to Seva Deras on the sacred land of Shaheed Gundadhur demonstrates how strong political will, forward-looking policies and responsive administration can change conditions in remote areas. Beyond physical development, this change marks a new dawn of prosperity and confidence in the lives of Bastar’s citizens.
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