NEW DELHI: The multi-pronged strategy of security, development and ensuring rights of local communities should be vigorously pursued to deal with Naxals, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.
Singh chaired a meeting to review the status of development projects and security-related issues in Left-Wing Extremism-affected states.
At the meeting, the home minister said the multi-pronged strategy of security, development, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities should be vigorously pursued, a home ministry statement said.
Different development projects, including road requirement plan (RRP), and those concerning air connectivity, power, education, health and banking were reviewed at the meeting.
Under RRP-1, a total of 4,433 km of roads have been constructed which include 1,504 km of roads built over the last three years in the most difficult areas.
The home minister asked officials to expedite the construction of the remaining roads at the earliest, the statement said.
While reviewing the progress on road connectivity under RRP-II, Singh expressed concern over the delay in submission of detailed project reports (DPRs) by state governments, it said.
Regarding air connectivity, it was mentioned that the Jagdalpur airport in Chhattisgarh will be operationalised shortly under the regional connectivity scheme.
It was also pointed out that there is a plan to connect the Jeypore airstrip in Odisha under this scheme.
About electrification, it was informed that the remaining 717 villages in the LWE-affected areas will be covered under the intense electrification scheme shortly.
Eight solar parks are also planned for the LWE-affected areas for which land acquisition is under progress. During the meeting, it was also informed that significant improvement has been made in filling up vacancies in security forces.
The opening of new bank branches and ATMs in 35 most LWEaffected districts was also reviewed.
The home minister said all the ongoing development projects should be taken up with the central ministries and state governments concerned and it should be ensured that these are completed in a time-bound manner, the statement said.
The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir, Home Secretary-designate Rajiv Gauba and senior officers from the ministry.