Centre not providing adequate support for dealing naxalism: Raman

Bhopal, Sep 15 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today regretted the lack will power on the part of the Centre to tackle naxalite menace.

Dr Singh said naxalism was a national problem and it was the responsibility of the Centre to solve the problem.

However, he assured that he would not shy to deal with the problem on its own.

He suggested that the Centre should chalk out and implement an integrated anti-naxalite joint action plan in consulation with naxal-affected state governments.

The Chief Minister pointed out that naxalism was against the democratic structure of the country and could be compared to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and formerly Punjab.

The Chhattisgarh Government had launched an intense campaign to fight naxalism through movements like 'Salwa Judum' involving tribals in tribal-dominated regions.

He claimed that naxalism was affecting about 140 districts in 12 states.

Dr Singh alleged that the Centre was discriminating states with regards to centrally-sponsored schemes.

He said the Centre had to provide 75 per cent contribution in education-related schemes, while state government had to provide the rest part. However, the Centre was desirous of reducing its share to 50 per cent.

The Chief Minister said adopting such measures would be a big blow for backward states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh and urged the Centre to continue the present arrangement and not impose additional burden on states.

He said the Chhattisgarh Government had maintained financial discipline despite challenging situations. Its establishment bill was not more than 32 per cent.

Dr Singh the next assembly elections would be fought on the poll plank of development and peace. He claimed that ninety per cent of poll promises had been fulfilled.

He added that the BJP was fully prepared for the Lok Sabha polls besides next year's assembly polls.

Urging the Centre to increase royalty on coal and iron ore, Dr Singh pointed out that Chhattisgarh is rich in natural resources and should get maximum benefit. Industrial units related to value addition to iron ore should also be established in the state.

The Chief Minister said the Railways earned a sizeable revenue from the state government. However, it received no cooperation for improving rail network. No meter gauge had been converted into a broad gauge since a long time.

UNI