Home Secretary review progress of development schemes in naxal areas

New Delhi, Sep 10 (UNI) Union Home Ministry today held a high level meeting to review the progress of developmental and employment generation schemes in naxalism affected areas as it has been felt that lack of development results in increased violence.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta chaired the meeting to take stock of developmental schemes of the Ministries of Rural Development, Human Resource Development, Panchayati Raj, Tribal Affairs and Environment and Forests which are directly connected with the development of infrastructure, creation of employment and improvement in the quality of life in the rural areas and tribal belts which have been witnessing violence by Naxalites.

It was observed that on the one hand, Naxalites seek to exploit real or perceived grievances and feelings of deprivation among rural and tribal communities to carry forward their agenda of violence and disruption and on the other hand, they have been trying to stop developmental activities and cause damage to the existing social and economic infrastructure.

The Government's aim is to see how various schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Pradhan Mantri Gram Swarojgar Yojna, National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme, BRGF and special schemes for tribal communities including implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Regulation of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 can be implemented and monitored in a focused manner, particularly in areas affected by Naxal activities.

The Home Ministry has been working closely with the State Governments concerned to develop action plans for this purpose apart from continuing interactions and consultations for improving the security environment.

The meeting was attended by the Secretaries in the ministries of Tribal Affairs, Rural Development and School Education and senior officers from the Environment&Forests and Panchayati Raj Ministries.

UNI