Other States - Orissa   

Model plan to counter naxal menace

BHUBANESWAR: Acknowledging that naxalism is more than a security issue, the State government has decided to formulate an action plan within two weeks by integrating different welfare schemes for their effective implementation in the two districts infested by left wing extremists.

The decision was taken at a meeting, which was attended by top officials of Union Home Ministry and higher-ups of state police machinery, on ‘formulation of action plan on developmental angles in naxal-affected districts.”

“Left wing extremists have thrived by cashing in on chinks in implementation of welfare schemes. Now, we will be taking a holistic approach on security issues as well as welfare programmes to effectively counter naxalite menace,” Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra told reporters here on Wednesday.

He said two southern districts -- Rayagada and Malkanagir -- were chosen for the implementation of the model schemes.

As per the strategy, different departments, including finance, revenue, rural development, health, forest and SC and ST development, would come together to find out model way of execution.

On the first place, the two district administrations had identified 25,000 persons, who were eligible for different pension schemes including widow and old age. They would be immediately covered under social security schemes, Mr. Mishra said.

The State government was also contemplating relaxing minimum educational qualification criteria for tribal youths to grab State government jobs such as Anganwadi workers, he said adding that relaxation in physical standard had already been effected for tribals to get into security agencies.

“Our main concern is how educated youths can be inducted into mainstream so that they cannot join naxal ranks,” he said.

As many eight districts of four States, including Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand, were selected where Centre was pressing for formulation of such strategy.

Mr. Mishra also said that the State government was working on a plan to provide special package to children whose parents would be killed by naxals.

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