Our economy, after many years of rapid growth, has slowed down in the last two years. Inflation, weakening of the rupee and other domestic and external factors have all contributed to this state of affairs. However, we have reasons to be optimistic about the future. A good monsoon has also helped us in our efforts. It is expected that the growth rate of our economy will cross five per cent during the current fiscal when the final figures are released.
As far as internal security is concerned, the overall situation in the country showed distinct signs of improvement in 2013, including in Jammu and Kashmir, the north east and Left Wing extremism affected areas. Our policy of engaging in talks with outfits that are willing to abjure the path of violence and ready to seek solutions within the framework of our Constitution has yielded rich dividends in the north east. The two-pronged approach of conducting proactive and sustained operations against Left Wing extremists and focusing attention on development and governance issues in Left Wing extremist affected areas has also shown encouraging results. The measures that we have taken to contain and fight Left Wing extremism include the Integrated Action Plan for 88 select and backward districts, most of which are affected by Left Wing extremism, improvement of road and telecom connectivity, streamlining the process of vesting of forests rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, strengthening of police stations, raising of specialised forces and deployment of additional central forces. Our government has taken several steps to deal with the threat of terrorism also. These include amending the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, augmenting the strength of the Central Armed Police Forces, strengthening the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and the Subsidiary Multi Agency Centre (SMAC), creating four new hubs of the National Security Guard, strengthening coastal security, setting up the National Investigation Agency and creation of the NATGRID. Incidents of terrorist violence have come down during 2013. The past year has seen major successes in the fight against terrorist forces with the arrest of some of the most-wanted terrorists.
I would like to mention three other issues which are a cause of concern. The first is the increase in incidents of communal disturbance in the past year, especially in some states. All state governments should do their utmost in reversing this situation. It is necessary for the state and also the central government, to do everything in their power to prevent communal disturbances. It is also essential to ensure that the guilty are punished and responsibility for lapses fixed once communal disturbances occur.
The second issue relates to the status of women in our society and country, particularly the incidents of violence against them. Our government has taken several steps to address this issue. These include the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 to provide for speedy justice and enhanced punishment in cases of sexual assault against women, administrative measures to enhance the safety and security of women, particularly in public places and a new law to prevent and punish sexual harassment of women at the workplace. I would urge all governors to press upon the state governments to give enhanced attention to issues relating to women.
The third issue relates to recurring incidents of intolerance and prejudice against people who have come from other states to live there. Recently, our capital was witness to one such incident in which a student belonging to the north eastern region lost his life to senseless violence. Such incidents cannot be tolerated in any civilised society and those who are responsible for them should be dealt with firmly. It is imperative that we work collectively towards ensuring that all our citizens, irrespective of where they belong to, feel safe, secure and welcome in all parts of the country. Our government has recently constituted a committee which will look into the issue.
We are committed to fostering good relations and peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. However, we are also aware of the external dimensions of threats to our security and remain resolute in our efforts to counter any such threat. In this connection, I would like to mention that despite a slight increase in infiltration attempts in J&K this year, vigilance and prompt action on part of our armed forces have ensured that the number of successful infiltration attempts have been lower as compared to previous years.
To address the internal and external threats to our security, we are constantly strengthening the capabilities of our armed and police forces. We are also implementing a number of programmes to develop critical infrastructure facilities in border areas.
We must recognise that deprivation and poverty are significant contributing factors to rising discontent in the backward and poor districts, many of which lie in scheduled areas. We, therefore, need to urgently address the widening economic, income and developmental disparities between citizens living in such areas and those in more developed parts of the country. Under the Constitutional scheme of affairs, governors have been given a special responsibility for the administration and speedy development of the scheduled areas. The role of these Constitutional arrangements in addressing the longstanding demands and aspirations of our tribal countrymen, cannot be over emphasised. In the Sixth Schedule areas of the north east, the process of regular elections, and greater devolution of funds and functions, has strengthened the Tribal Councils. In the Fifth Schedule areas, the Panchayats (extension to scheduled areas) Act (PESA) has led to greater involvement of the population in local governance as well as contro
l over community resources. The vesting of forest rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act has substantially empowered our tribal brothers and sisters. However, we need to do much more to ensure the implementation of these significant legislations in letter and spirit, including in devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to local self governance institutions in scheduled areas and ensuring compliance of state subject laws, rules and instruction with PESA provisions. I would request governors to contribute in full measure to the accomplishments of these tasks.
Edited exceprts from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address at the Governors' conference, New Delhi, February 15 in New Delhi
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