Review group set up by govt to tackle Naxalism

In a written reply to the House, he said, "Government has constituted a Review Group to promote coordinated efforts across a range of development and security activities to tackle Naxal problems in the affected areas in a comprehensive manner."

The Group has Cabinet Secretary as its Chairman and its members are drawn from all concerned Ministries, he added.

On whether the Army is being used to tackle Naxalism, Antony said, "Indian Army is not being used to tackle problem of Naxalism in our country."

Replying to a question on fire incidents in ordnance depots, he said, "During last five years fire incidents have taken place in three Ordnance Ammunition Depots. Separate court of inquiries have been conducted in each of these incidents and no individual was found blameworthy for these incidents."

On losses incurred due to these incidents, he said, "The loss due to these incidents has been estimated at Rs 710 crores approximately."

In reply to a question on blacklisting of foreign firms, he said, "In March, 2012, the Ministry decided imposition of penalties against six firms including debarring them from further business dealing with all the wings of this Ministry for a period of ten years."

Whenever allegations of corruption are received against companies supplying defence equipment to the government, appropriate action including that of blacklisting is taken, he added.

He denied that some of these companies have been granted exemption. "None of the six companies has been exempted from this list after being debarred," he said.