Taking note of the abduction of 400 to 500 villagers by Maoists from Marenga village in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said security forces have been deployed.
The Minister, who arrived in his constituency on Saturday, said he got information of the abduction in the morning. Stating that the problem of Maoism had persisted for about 50 years, Mr. Singh said efforts were under way to overcome it.
Talking to journalists after attending an interactive session with the BJP workers here, the Minister emphasised that the areas under Naxal influence would be rid of the problem.
Mr. Singh said it was the endeavour of his Ministry to establish better coordination and good relations with the States.
On Dawood
The Minister refused to comment on the Dawood Ibrahim issue as the Parliament session was underway. However, Mr. Singh said he would make a statement on the issue in the House on Monday or Tuesday.
Mr. Singh rebutted the Congress vice president and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi’s charge that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was instrumental in a food park in his constituency (Amethi) not getting clearance.
The Minister said the project was to be completed in 24 months, but work did not begin for three years and “moreover, the company which was to develop the food park withdrew.”
'States can’t claim shortage of funds'
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the States could not complain about shortage of funds (for undertaking relief measures) as their share in Central taxes had been increased.
“For the first time, the States’ share has been increased by 10 per cent from 32 per cent to 42 per cent,” the Minister said.
Of late, the Uttar Pradesh government had been complaining that the Centre was not releasing funds for relief to farmers who suffered huge crop losses due to recent unseasonal rains and hailstorm.
Mr. Singh said the State sends a memorandum seeking funds to the Centre. “The receipt of the memorandum is followed by a Central team visiting the affected areas and the money is given after the report is submitted,” he told journalists here.
