Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said that the government was ready for talks with naxals if they gave up arms and came to the mainstream of society. He was speaking at a press conference at the inspectors’ bungalow in Manvi on Wednesday.
“The Congress has been saying that nothing can be achieved from armed struggle. We have been saying that every issue can be resolved through discussions. If the naxals are ready to join the mainstream after giving up armed struggle, we are ready to have talks with them,” the Chief Minister said.
Asked about the government’s readiness to withdraw cases against naxals who wanted to join the mainstream, the Chief Minister said, “All their demands could be looked into and solutions worked out when we sit down for talks,” he said.
MalnutritionTo a query about rampant malnutrition among infants and children in backward Hyderabad-Karnataka region, the Chief Minister said that he would ask Minister of State for Women and Child Development Umashree to visit the area and give a comprehensive report on the issue.
“There are several government programmes to fight malnutrition among children. Once the Women and Child Development Department gives the comprehensive report, we can take concrete measures to root it out,” he said.
Caste-based censusMr. Siddaramaiah said that a caste-based census would start in April next year. “Caste-based census has not been done after Independence. The State government is preparing for the census to be taken up soon after the school exams. The survey will cover economic, social, educational and other factors,” he said.
