''Efforts are on to bring Naxals into mainstream''

Amritsar, Feb 5 (PTI) The Centre is continuing itsefforts to bring banned Naxals into the mainstream despite thegrave threat posed by their activities, Union minister AshwaniKumar said today.

"50 districts are affected due to Naxal activities,which are grave threat... Keeping this in view, efforts arebeing made on the part of Government of India to bring theminto the mainstream," Union State Minister for ParliamentaryAffairs, Ashwani Kumar told reporters.

The Naxalite problem should be discussed seriously andsincerely, he said, adding that there was the need to preparean effective policy in this regard.

Around Rs 7,000 crore funds have been earmarked by theCentre to tackle the Naxal threat, he said.

The minister also expressed dismay on the deadlock inParliament over the demand for JPC probe into 2G spectrumallocation.

Kumar was here to pay obeisance at the Golden Templeafter assuming the office as state minister.