Naxal action plan unlikely till next yr
For all the sense of urgency surrounding the need to deal with red terror, the implementation of the Centre’s much-hyped Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for 60 Naxal-infested districts in the country is going to be delayed further. In fact, going by the latest indications, the `13,742 crores worth IAP is unlikely to see the light of day until early 2011.
The latest hurdle in the government’s path has come in the shape of elections. While the Bihar Assembly elections are already on, yet another Naxal-infested state, Jharkhand, is all geared to hold five-phased panchayat elections that will only end in late December. Both these elections mean that the Centre will not be able to announce the IAP owing to the Model Code of Conduct which will be in place.
The aim of the IAP is to promote development in these districts while also ensuring that certain governance norms are adhered to. As an official remarked, “Money under IAP is not just in the form of freebies so states will have to adhere to certain governance conditions.”
Accordingly, the Planning Commission is putting in place certain governance conditions like implementation of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act as also the Forest Rights Act for states to get funds under IAP.
The IAP has already been delayed owing to the manner in which the Planning Commission had first drawn up the proposal, said sources. The Plan was reportedly drawn up without holding consultations with ministries that would have a role to play in its implementation, sources added. Having got a rap on its knuckles for failing to discuss the multi-crore Plan with the concerned ministries, the PMO had to intervene and direct the Planning Commission to do so, said sources.
The Plan-body appears to have done so now but now the elections have come in the way of the IAP’s announcement.
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