Tribal dominated Surajpur becomes dist

     Ambikapur, January 19, 2012: Surajpur was today formally inaugurated as a district, although it was enjoying the status of a police district for last couple of years.

     Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh today participated in a rally and later on addressing a gathering at Surajpur said, it was the beginning of a new era.

     The Chief Minister said Coal and water would make this a developed district and setting up of power plants in Premnagar and Bhaiyathan would accelerate the pace of development.

     About 45.31 per cent of the population is tribal where as 5.29 per cent is scheduled caste. Out of a population of 6,60,280 as per 2001 census, it has 2,99, 186 ST and 34,940 SC. The sex ratio is 973 female against 1000 male.

     Pratappur, Odgi, Bhaiyathan, Surajpur, Ramanujnagar and Premnagar tehsils made the new district.

     Spread over 6,349 sq km area, the district has 550 villages, 392 gram panchayats and six urban local bodies. 518 villages are electrified.