PlanCom for improved mobile connectivity in naxal-hit areas

The Planning Commission today proposed setting up telecom towers in police compounds in 60 naxalite-hit districts, to help tackle extremist violence.

“Integrated development of the trouble-torn districts through fast-track development of basic amenities, together with improved communication network, are the backbone of the central government’s initiatives aimed at restoring normalcy in these districts,” Commission member-secretary Sudha Pillai said during an interaction with collectors and other heads of these districts.

The interaction was to discuss the government’s integrated action plan for these areas. Under the plan, each of the 60 districts get Rs 25 crore per annum for development works. It was launched last November, following a series of major naxal attacks. The aim is to develop basic infrastructure in these areas.

The government approved the first tranche of Rs 1,500 crore for the districts in the eight naxal-hit states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Of the Rs 1,500 crore, almost 47 per cent has been spent. The funds were placed at the disposal of an empowered committee headed by a district collector.

Taken together, the districts had taken up 66,500 works worth Rs 2,733 crore, of which 17,106 projects have been completed.

During the interaction, the collectors said no major obstacle except natural calamities had hampered the progress. Some wanted clarifications on solar lighting schemes and bamboo rights of tribals.

Pillai, who heads the empowered group of officers having overriding powers to modify the guidelines on implementation of various development programmes and flagship schemes in these districts, also informed the district authorities that third-party audit of the programmes being carried out under this plan would be initiated shortly. The office of the comptroller and auditor-general has already been requested to undertake this exercise in the 60 districts.