- Employment, rations, education, and safe housing reached areas cut off from development for decades; 500,000 man-days created
- Return to village, life changed: A story of development in a Naxalite area
Long isolated from development due to Naxalite influence, the interior areas of Bijapur district are now experiencing a wave of change. The combined efforts of the Niyyad Nellanar Scheme and MNREGA have brought development to villages that for decades lacked basic amenities due to Naxalite influence.
In Bijapur district, the Niyada Nellanar scheme covers 224 villages across 67 gram panchayats through 42 protection camps. The active participation of MNREGA in this initiative has accelerated local employment generation and infrastructure construction.
Employment support to more than 16 thousand families
So far, 16,671 job cards have been registered in these villages, of which 7,271 new job cards have been created. This is providing employment to thousands of families in the village itself. Particular emphasis has been placed on integrating Naxal-affected communities into the mainstream. Job cards have been created for 966 surrendered Naxalites, 178 injured families, and 477 families of deceased Naxal victims, and they have been linked to the MNREGA scheme.
- The impact of development was seen for the first time
Under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 1,744 development projects have been carried out in the Niyyad Nellanar areas, generating over 500,000 man-days.
These projects have not only provided local employment to rural workers, but have also reduced migration and strengthened villagers’ trust in the government.
Livelihood ponds are becoming a source of income.
An initiative is being taken to connect the villagers with livelihood activities by approving 372 livelihood ponds in the Niyyad Nellanar area.
Niyyad Nellanar Gram Panchayat Belnar of Janpad Panchayat Bhairamgarh, where the villagers were once forced to leave the village and migrate due to Naxalite terror. After joining the Niyyad Nellanar scheme, the villagers have returned to their villages. For their livelihood promotion, livelihood ponds of beneficiaries Shri Sahadev Korsa, Shri Lakhu, Shri Sudru Korsa have been completed in the year 2025-26 under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme. Fish farming and vegetable production work is proposed in these ponds through convergence with the Fisheries and Horticulture Department.
- 2977 families got permanent houses
Housing construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) is progressing rapidly in the Niyyad Nellanar region. A total of 2,977 beneficiaries have been granted housing approvals under this scheme, of which 690 beneficiaries have completed their permanent homes. Families are now living safe and dignified lives in the completed homes.
A story of change in every village
: Dugali’s well becomes a lifeline: Over 100 villagers get drinking water –
A well constructed under MNREGA in Dugali village under Niyad Nellanar of Bijapur Janpad Panchayat is quenching the thirst of over 100 villagers. Boring was not possible in this village due to its difficult geographical location, but this well has emerged as a permanent solution. This has provided the villagers with accessible drinking water and also provided them with local employment.
Palanar- Where earlier the administration did not reach, today the construction work of Panchayat Bhawan, Anganwadi and Gauthan is going on, currently more than 200 workers are working.
Kavadgaon – After 50 years of fear and isolation, job cards have been distributed to 100% of rural workers. The village has also received access to amenities like roads, electricity, drinking water, schools, and mobile towers.
Sawanar (Todka Panchayat) – 40-45 children are getting regular education and nutrition from the Anganwadi building constructed at a cost of Rs 9.35 lakh.
Pusukonta (Usoor) – The Anganwadi building constructed at a cost of Rs 11.69 lakh has provided a safe and better environment to the children.
With the construction of fair price shops in Dharmaram and Todka areas, villagers are now getting ration in the village itself.
Bangoli- Where earlier one had to go 18 km away to get ration, now this facility is available to 524 families in the village itself.
Skill development of youth:
To make the rehabilitated surrendered Naxalites and local youth self-reliant, mason training has been given to them, due to which they are getting employment in construction works.
The convergence of the Niyada Nellanar scheme and MNREGA is now accelerating development in Bijapur’s interior villages. Employment, infrastructure, and growing trust in governance are also driving widespread change in Naxal-affected areas.