Centre clears infrastructure development in Naxal states

New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) The Centre today discussed plans for special infrastructure development for Naxalism-affected districts of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.

The Home Ministry today held a meeting at which proposals submitted by the the state governments for special infrastructure development in left wing extremism affected Aurangabad and Gaya in Bihar, Malkangiri and Raygarha in Orissa, Bijapur and Dantewara in Chattisgarh, Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh were discussed and cleared.

The five-hour long meeting of the Project Clearance Committee for the Scheme, headed by Special Secretary (Naxal Managament) Vinay Kumar, discussed plans for the current year in the eight districts.

Representatives from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa governments, Planning Commission, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Surface Transport, CRPF and SSB, took part in the meeting.

To fight naxalism in an effective manner, the Centre has prepared a new scheme of Rs 500 crore outlay for special infrastructure development in Left Wing Extremism-affected States.

The scheme is aimed at filling critical infrastructure gaps not adequately or otherwise provided for in any of the existing schemes.

It is to be implemented during the eleventh five year plan and will cover 13 districts-- Aurangabad and Gaya in Bihar, Malkangiri and Raygarha in Orissa, Bijapur and Dantewara in Chhattisgarh, Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, Balaghat in Madhya Pradesh, Chhatra and Palamau in Jharkhand, Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh, Gadchirauli and Gondia in Maharashtra.

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