Special package for Naxal-affected areas
The Centre is finalising a special development package for 34-worst Naxal affected districts in the country aimed at speeding up developmental works along with close monitoring by government agencies.
The Planning Commission on Friday held video conferencing with chief secretaries of nine Naxal-hit states to discuss the financial outlay for SDP.
The meeting comes ahead of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s meeting with chief ministers of Naxal-hit States on July 14.
Against the demands raised by state governments for increased financial assistance, sources in the home ministry said that the Centre is wary of the fact that the money being pumped into states should be utilised effectively for developmental schemes and results should show within a set time frame.
The package is intended to bolster the government’s flagship programmes, such as the Bharat Nirman and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme in the Naxal-affected districts. The package is expected to be for a three-year period. The lack of infrastructure like roads, drinking water and electrification in these districts was noted during the visits of inter-ministerial groups, headed by joint secretaries of the ministries concerned to the districts.
Their findings were reported to the Planning Commission which is monitoring the central schemes in close coordination with the state authorities.
Post new comment