Jairam Ramesh blamed for spread of Naxalism

New Delhi, Jul 23: The planning Commission has blamed the Environment ministry, Jairam Ramesh for the spread of Naxalism in the nation.

The Commission says the Environment ministry is not clearing numerous developmental projects in the Naxal-affected areas even as the National Development Council says the Environment clearances are taking too long and projects take anywhere between 3-4 years to get clearance.

According to the Planning Commission note on Naxalism which says not a single state has notified the rules for the all powerful Panchayat Extension of Scheduled Areas Act which will help develop tribal areas. The act was passed in 1996.

The report says the failure to implement PESA has proved to be fertile ground for the spread of Naxalism in the country. The 11th Plan has reached out to only a fifth of the particularly vulnerable tribal groups against a target of 110 lakh beneficiaries. And, only one fourth of the tribals have so far got land title deeds, with Jharkhand being one of the worst offenders.

At present states like Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal are affected by the Naxalites.

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