New Delhi: The Centre on Monday finalised a
developmental action plan involving the Army to deal with the
menace of naxalism in districts worst hit by the problem,
particularly in eastern India.
The 'Saranda Action Plan', prepared by Rural Development
Ministry, will be implemented firstly in Jharkhand's
naxal-hit Saranda district after a meeting with state's Deputy
Chief Minister Sudesh Mahato, CRPF Director General
Vijayakumar and other top officials.
"Tomorrow, a seven-member team from the ministry is going
to Saranda. We had a discussion. We have prepared an action
plan," Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters
here.
According to the plan, immediate priority is to
distribute solar lanterns and bicycles, construction of prefab
houses for BPL families under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY)
and bridges with the help of Army and special water supply -
hand pump schemes.
On seeking Army's help, Ramesh said "we need very quick
visible results on the ground. We are looking at prefab
housing, prefab bridges rather than spend months and months
in construction work. We will take the help of the Army also
in this because they have expertise in the area."
Top Army officials made a presentation to the ministry on
what it can do in these areas, the Minister said.
"We have already taken up development activities in
Narayanpur and Vijaypur. We don't want to take up on a large
scale, because the Army should not be visible," Ramesh said.
First Published: Monday, October 17, 2011, 22:30