Sreelatha Menon: Mirror on the wall

EAR TO THE GROUND

The UPA government will be known for many achievements, notably the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the Right to Information Act, and if all goes well, the Women's Reservation Act as well.

But the finest may yet come if the recommendations of an expert group of the Planning Commission on development challenges in extremist-affected areas are translated into action.

The report is honest and harsh about the mistakes governments have made over the last 60 years that have led to Naxalism thriving in so many districts of the country. It asks governments to undo the damage and do everything, including talking to Naxalites, "to rectify a historic wrong.''

The report says lack of empowerment of panchayats is one of the key causes for lack of development in rural areas with the Provision for Extension of Panchayat Act (PESA) only partially implemented in tribal areas.

It raises the issue of states' unwillingness to part with their power and functions to share them with panchayats. The fact that the writ of the state does not run in as many as 125 districts in extremism-affected areas makes it clear that the state bureaucracy has abjectly failed in delivering good governance in these areas. Hence, empowerment of panchayats would practically be the only way for effective governance of these areas.

It also looks at the huge underbelly of deprivation below the crest of 9 per cent growth rate. Even the government's attempt to bridge this has resulted in more divides.

"We have two worlds of education, two worlds of health, two worlds of transport and two worlds of housing..,''it says.

It also points at the many conflicts that are going on in mining zones even as new steel companies are exploring ground to do business without any intention of including communities as stakeholders.

It says "even those who know very little about the Naxalite movement know that its central slogan has been