Chidambaram calls for better utilization of funds

New Delhi, Apr 30 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday called for better utilization of funds, provided by the Centre for development of districts worst affected by left wing extremism (LWE).

Chairing a meeting of the Members of Parliament, representing 34 LWE affected districts and West Medinipur district of West Bengal, Chidambaram said the purpose of the meeting was to assess the present trends and review the steps needed for integrated development of these districts.

Citing statistics, Chidambaram said as on April 25 utilization of funds released for these districts under major development schemes varied from scheme to scheme.

The utilization was 46.23 per cent under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, 62.83 per cent under the National Rural Health Mission, 72.92 per cent under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana, 85.81 per cent under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, 80.35 per cent under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 86.37 percent under Drinking Water Supply, 86.70 per cent under Integated Child Development Services , 71.52 per cent under Indira Awas Yojana, 5.86 per cent for Ashram Schools and 66.01 per cent under the Forest Rights Act.

Chidambaram said there was a need to improve the financial and physical performance of major developmental schemes in the worst-affect districts.

He said a plan would be worked out on the basis of concrete suggestions, received from the MPs and would be presented to Chief Ministers of Naxal affected states.

Taking part in the discussions, MPs welcomed the Home Ministry's initiative to call the first ever meeting of Members of Parliament representing the Districts, worst affected by LWE.

Members said that elected representatives from these districts must have a role to play in monitoring implementation of the major developmental schemes.

Members suggested to set up a major vocational centre in each block, relaxation of norms for setting up schools and building roads, etc. in the worst-affected districts, imparting knowledge of local dialects to security force personnel working in the LWE- affected areas, involving local tribals in implementation of various developmental schemes and providing employment to local tribals in security forces, etc.

Some members pointed out that Naxal leaders have amassed huge wealth through extortion.

The districts worst affected by LWE include-Khammam in Andhra Pradesh, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui, Arwal, Gaya and Rohtas in Bihar, Dantewada, Bastar, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kanker, Rajnandgaon and Sarguja from Chhattisgarh, Gadchiroli and Gondia from Maharashtra, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Lohardaga, Gumla, Chatra, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Bokaro, Garhwa, Lathehar and Palamau from Jharkhand, Balaghat from Madhya Pradesh , Gajapati, Rayagada, Devogarh, Malkangiri and Sambalpur from Orissa, onebhadra from Uttar Pradesh and West Medinipur from West Bengal. (ANI)