Govt to expand development projects to more Maoist-affected districts

A makeshift bridge constructed by the Army in Maredumilli and Gurthedu area in Andhra Pradesh border, known for Naxalites presence. The Government is planning to improve the infrastructure in Naxal-affected districts, as a way to combat Left-wing extremism.

The Union Home Ministry is contemplating expansion of its ambitious Integrated Action Plan (IAP), being implemented in 60 selected tribal and backward Maoist-affected districts, to 40 more districts and beyond the two-year period.

The MHA is preparing a note to be presented before the Union Cabinet with the proposal to include around 40 more districts under the IAP and extend it to more than two years.

The IAP now covers 60 districts and the project has to be completed within two financial years.

The total allocation of Rs 1,500 crore, distributed at Rs 25 crore per district, was released in December last year as part of the block grant for 2010-11 and placed at the disposal of the Committee headed by the District Collector.

All the 60 districts finalised the works to be taken up, completed the tender processes, wherever needed, and began work on the ground immediately. On May 12 this year, Rs 10 crore per district was also released for the implementation of the IAP scheme in 2011-12. The government had approved Rs 30 crore per district as block grant for 2011-12.

The 60 selected districts are: 15 from Orissa, 14 from Jharkhand, 10 from Chhattisgarh, eight from Madhya Pradesh, seven from Bihar, two from Andhra Pradesh, two from Maharashtra and one each from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Among the projects undertaken under IAP scheme, drinking water, sanitation and electric lighting together accounted for nearly 30 per cent of the projects, school infrastructure 16 per cent and Anganwadi centres 13.5 per cent.

According to information received by the Planning Commission from the districts, against the release of Rs 1,500 crore, all the 60 districts put together have taken up works worth Rs 2,732.58 crore and the expenditure level has already reached Rs 702.60 crore, which roughly represents about 47 per cent of the sanctioned fund.

About 66,500 works/projects have been taken up by the districts under IAP, out of which 17,000 have already been completed. The major works taken up include, construction of school buildings, anganwadi centres, drinking water facilities, roads, skill development centres, panchayat bhawans, PDS shops, minor irrigation works, electric lighting, health centres, development of playgrounds and toilets.

Meanwhile, the Centre will review the implementation of the project with the District Collectors of the 60 districts at a meeting convened here on Tuesday.