Jaiswal stresses on development to wipe out Naxalism

Jabalpur, Apr 23 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Home Prakash Jaiswal today said the Centre's UPA government was providing assistance as per the proposals and action plans of Naxalism-affected states but the menace could not be stamped out until good roads, water, adequate power and employment were provided.

''It is now the responsibility of the state governments concerned to utilise the finances on priority basis. However, delays are being observed in some states and there are consequent hurdles in doling out the next instalments,'' Mr Jaiswal, here to attend three programmes including a Kalchuri community convention, told journalists before returning to Delhi.

Pointing out that the states would have to coordinate with the Centre for tackling extremism, he added that a conference of chief ministers concerned took place in New Delhi last week.

''The Centre is providing more and more funds to the states for further modernising the police departments,'' the minister explained.

Responding to a question, Mr Jaiswal said Kerala boasted of the lowest crime rate and added that the states with high rates were expected to make serious attempts to improve the law and order situation while ensuring effective policing.

''Terrorist incidents have declined in Jammu and Kashmir,'' he claimed.

Replying to a query on former Punjab supercop K P S Gill being appointed adviser to the Chhattisgarh government, Mr Jaiswal said it was within the state government's jurisdiction and it was in public interest to profit from an experienced officer's knowledge.

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