Reds thriving in backward areas: PM

The Times of India , Friday, April 23, 2010
Correspondent : TNN,
NEW DELHI: Amid growing concern among leaders of different political parties as well as civil society over lack of development in Maoist-infested areas, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday admitted that Naxalism flourished in under-developed areas. He, however, made it clear that “urgent and considered action” will be taken against those challenging the authority of the state.

Describing left-wing extremism as the gravest internal security threat faced by the country, Singh said: “Recent events have underscored the need for urgent and considered action to root out this problem.”

“No quarter can be given to those who have taken upon themselves to challenge the authority of the Indian state and the fabric of our democratic polity,” he said while addressing a gathering of bureaucrats on the occasion of Civil Services Day here.

His remarks came in the backdrop of the worst-ever Maoist attack on security forces in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on April 6 in which 75 CRPF men and a policeman were killed. The incident has already triggered a debate over the ways and means being adopted by the government to tackle the Naxal problem with Parliament last week witnessing several members pitching for developmental works in the Maoist-affected states.

Stating that the government cannot overlook the fact that “many areas in which such extremism (Naxalism) flourishes are underdeveloped and many people, mainly poor tribals, who live in these areas have not shared equitably in the fruits of development”, the PM asked civil servants to devise innovative ways to ensure that the benefits of development programmes reach the people.

“It is incumbent upon us to ensure that no area of our country is denied the benefits of our ambitious developmental programmes,” the PM said. Besides Naxalism, he also pointed to terrorism, climate change and degradation of environment and efficient and equitable management of water resources as other major challenges before the country.

Seeking the civil servants’ cooperation in handling these challenges and also reaching the government’s medium term target of an annual growth rate of 9-10%, the PM said: “Our civil services have a major role to play in reaching this goal by facilitating the right enabling environment in which enterprise and innovations are encouraged.”

Referring to the state of the economy, Singh mentioned that the growth rate for 2009-10 was now estimated at 7.2% and the forecast for 2010-11 was 8.25%.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Reds-thriving-in-backward-areas-PM/articleshow/5841996.cms
 


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