As part of its efforts to tackle Naxalism in Gadchiroli district, the Maharashtra government has allocated `385 crore in the last three years for various developmental projects in the district.
The state is also said to have received a good response as 396 Naxals have surrendered in the same period under ‘Navjeevan’ scheme.
“I am still not satisfied, because of strict forest act I can’t welcome any big industry in this area,” said guardian and state home minister R.R. Patil.
“It should be simplified or some concession should be given to the tribals as they have major role in developing and protecting the forest. No industry is ready to establish business in this area because of stringent provisions of forest act,” he said.
Mr Patil became guardian minister of Gadchiroli in 2010. Since then, he has managed to get annual budgetary provision for the district increased from `17.30 crore to current `106 crore. “This is not enough. Actually, work of around `1200 crore is in progress in the district,” he said.
The home minister claimed that he had focused on giving tribals the rights to forestland. 85,028 acres have been
distributed to 30,167 tribespeople. Apart from that, 89 belts of 4,21,094 acres of land have been distributed to gram sabhas, higher authority of the village.
An official from the home department said, “A bridge on Godavari, Indravati and Pranhita rivers is under construction, which will connect Gadchiroli to Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.”
Mr Patil said that he is still trying to get some pending proposals passed. One such proposal is to establish a district development authority for Gadchiroli (GDDA) on the lines of the MMRDA has been pending for years.