Plan panel divided on Naxal area package,Montek orders redraft

At the Internal Planning Commission (IPC) meeting chaired by Ahluwalia today,members argued that the IAP “was a routine document” without any element of reforms. “It was widely felt that throwing more money will not solve the problems in the Naxalite-affected districts. We pointed out that the money already allotted has not been properly utilized. So simply adding more money can hardly solve the problems,” said an official who participated in the meeting.

The Plan panel met today to discuss the IAP threadbare before taking it to the Union Cabinet. The objective of the IAP is to wean away the tribal populace from the Maoists through comprehensive infrastructure and economic development,and implementation of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act,1996 and the related Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act,2006.

“The IPC felt that the inputs from the mid-term appraisal of the 11th Plan,which has just been completed,did not find its place in the document. The Deputy Chairman also expressed the view that the district planning committees should have been a part of the process formulating the plan. Members strongly felt that whatever plan is put forward must be seen by the people of the districts as reflecting their real needs and aspirations,” the official said.

He added,“The Deputy Chairman has directed a complete re-drafting of the document presented to the IPC,into which the inputs from all members will be incorporated.” When asked,Ahluwalia said,“We met to discuss the IAP suggestions and asked the members to examine them. The Cabinet Committee on Security said this (Naxalism) was an important issue. We need to make additional efforts to ensure utilisation of money in the LWE districts.”

Without confirming the quantum of money for the package,the Deputy Chairman said “numbers keep on coming out at every stage. The Commission has not yet approved any number.”

Some members said the crucial issue was reforming the design of implementation of the centrally sponsored schemes so that the benefits of the money reached the people for whom it was meant.

One official said the MTA outlines a comprehensive agenda for reform of the flagship programmes which could provide a greater sense of inclusion to people in the country,especially in left-wing extremism affected districts.

“The mid-term appraisal has also suggested changes in the design of implementation of these programmes to make efficient instruments of transformation,” the official said,and pointed out,“the key issue is the widespread feeling of exclusion among the tribal people,which the Maoists have taken advantage of.”

Of the total money proposed under IAP,about Rs 5,768 crore would be required to be spent on road connectivity,Rs 1,602 crore on education,Rs 850 crore on health services,Rs 835 crore on rural electrification and Rs 888 crore on irrigation to bring the least developed areas on par with the rest of the country. The IAP was being prepared at the behest of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.