Ramesh visits Naxal citadel, stresses on fund utilisation

Defying the presence of left-wing ultras, Union minister for rural development Jairam Ramesh on Monday visited the Naxal-infested Malkanagiri district in Odisha to review the implementation of different welfare programmes.

The minister conducted the review in the presence of state and district level officials at Malkanagiri, the district headquarter town. The review was followed by his visit to nurseries and orchids. The minister also held discussions with the tribal people amid unprecedented security.

“There is no dearth of funds for infrastructure development of the Naxal hit districts. It is the responsibility of the state governments to expedite the different programmes”, he added.

 

At the same time, the Union minister also stressed on keeping vigil on proper implementation of the programmes and utilisation of funds for the beneficiaries in the districts affected by left wing extremism.

Former collector of Malkanagiri R Vinil Krishna, who is now the private secretary to Ramesh, accompanied the minister. Krishna was abducted by the Naxals on February 16 last year and remained in the custody of the red rebels for 10 days.