Patnaik seeks BRO involvement in Naxalite-hit districts

New Delhi, Oct 13 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today sought the participation of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in road projects in tribal areas of the state where the BJD government is facing difficulties in executing projects.

The state government was experiencing problems in carrying out development works in the districts of Malkangiri, Rayagada and Gajapati due to the growing Naxalite presence, the Chief Minister said while making the request to Union Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee when he called on him here.

In addition, contractors working there were constrained due to inadequate machinery and equipment.

He said a central organisation like the BRO which had excellent infrastructure and a record of speedy execution of work in difficult areas could take up work in these districts.

Assuring that the Defence Ministry would consider the proposal seriously, Mr Mukherjee said while the primary mandate of the BRO was to work along international borders, exceptions have been made for the Naxalite-affected areas of Chhattisgarh.

Mr Patnaik also requested the Defence Minister to set up additional army recruitment centres in the state, particularly in the tribal areas of Koraput and Baripada.

While recruitment rallies are held in all district headquarters, candidates are required to visit the branch recruitment office for fulfilling other requirements and formalities. This, he said, acted as a barrier for the poor and tribal candidates from interior areas of the state.

Agreeing to hold special recruitment drives in some of the tribal districts, Mr Mukherjee said the issue of opening new branch recruitment offices in tribal areas would be examined by his Ministry.

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