Round The States
New Delhi, 13 January 2010
Centre’s New Scheme
MORE COPS FOR NAXAL
STATES
By Insaf
Police recruitment is the new buzz word for the nine Naxal-infested
States. Whereby the States should focus on making good the shortfall in
security personnel to fight the Left-wing extremism. This advice was given by
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to Police Chiefs of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra,
Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh. Specially at a time when there is
likelihood of enhanced Maoist activity in West Bengal
ahead of the Assembly poll. Moreover, against the backdrop of the stalemate
faced by the counter Naxal operations and the massive reverses suffered by the
CRPF in the States, the time had come to gain an upper hand over the Maoists.
Notwithstanding the brisk pace of recruitment, the continuing shortfall clearly
poses a challenge to counter the Maoists.
However, trust the Planning Commission to play party pooper
to the States’ dreams of an integrated action plan for Naxal-affected
districts. Calling it a deeply retrogressive step, the Commission has shot down
the Centre’s proposal of providing a centralized structure for funding and
assessment on the scheme. On the facetious plea that it would lead to
alienation of the tribals and that the funds could land in the hands of the
Maoists. The States think otherwise. Importantly, they were looking forward to getting
Central funds of Rs.25-30 crores for each Naxal-affected district to help it
fight the menace. The Central funds would be allocated to a Committee
comprising the Collector, Superintendent of Police and the District Forest
Officer would decide how to spend the same. Till the Centre and Commission sort
out the problem, the States keep their fingers crossed.
* * * *
Kerala’s New Party
In the run-up to the State Assembly polls, Kerala’s Indian
Union Muslim League (IUML) rebels along with other anti-Congress politicians
have joined forces to launch a new Muslim party. Whereby the new outfit would
be a platform to favour the Left without joining the CPM and its brethren on
ideological grounds. Importantly, the new party would cut into the Muslim vote
bank of over 24 per cent of the State’s population. Further, the Jamait-e-Islam
has also upped the ante to make its political debut in the polls. For the Left,
an alliance with a new Muslim outfit has become imperative after the Indian
National League, a break-up away faction of the IUML moved to the Congress-led
UDF. Significantly, the CPM backed Muslim party is taking shape at a time when
the Social Democratic Party (SDF)-NDF combine has been emerging as a strong
non-IUML force. Needless to say the spanking new outfit is bound to muddy
political waters in the State.
* * * *
Ethnic Clashes In
North-East
Ethnic clashes have splashed blood on the hills of the
scenic North-East. All over age-old tension between the Garos and the Rabha
tribal communities along the inter-State border between Assam and
Meghalaya. The Garos are a majority in Meghalaya but a minority in Assam; Rabhas are a majority in Assam and a
minority in Meghalayas. The latter has been demanding an autonomous council for
the Rabhas in Assam.
The present crisis arose on Christmas Day when six Garo youth were killed by
the Rabha men. This small incident has now flared up to an extent where over 34,000
people both Garo and Rabha tribals have left their homes and taken shelter in
relief camps. Sadly, both the State Governments and the Center continue to
grope in the dark as to what triggered such large scale violence, even as the
student wing of both communities have called for peace. It remains to be seen
whether all will see reason and restore their age-old peaceful co-existence.
* * * *
Gujarat Shining
Gujarat’s CM Narendra Modi continues to win
accolades. This time it’s over the investments the State has netted in the
fifth edition of the vibrant Gujarat summit.
The MOUs signed total over Rs. 14.9 lakh crores across sectors like power, gas
and pharma. Not only did the biggest names from India Inc attend but also
representatives from over 51 countries, one third of the world’s nation. The
success of the summit can be gauged from the fact that investments of over US$
50 billion were signed in the first hour alone. As it stands Gujarat has over
the last few years topped the Prime Minister’s report card of India’s most-developed
State wherein the industry has grown by 13 per
cent in the past decade, agriculture at 9.6 per cent, per capita income at 13.8
per cent. Mainly, due to the fact
that the State boasts of no power cuts, zero labour problems and ample
availability of skilled workers. Will pulsating Gujarat
hold a beacon for other States to follow?
* * * *
Bihar Impresses WB
On the heels of Gujarat, Bihar too has charted a success story. So impressed was
the World Bank Chief Robert B Zoellick about the State’s achievements,
especially the bicycle distribution scheme for school-going girls and boys that
it granted a Rs 1000-crore agreement for rebuilding areas affected by the
devastating Kosi floods in 2008. Chief
Minister Nitish Kumar underscored his plans of undertaking steps for women
empowerment, interlinking of rivers,
Integrated Child Development Scheme, improvement in health, agriculture and
education in the State. It remains to be seen whether Bihar
will achieve the status of developed State by 2015 as envisaged by Nitish.
* * * *
UP Hit Worst
As North India shivers in
the biting cold the hardest hit is Mayawati’s Uttar Pradesh. The winter toll is
over 110 dead. Cold conditions prevailed in most parts of the State and clouds
hovered in many places, while Lucknow recorded a
minimum temperature of 1.4 degree Celsius, Varanasi
a low of 2.7 degree Celsius, Kanpur shivered at
2.2 degree Celsius and Shahjahan’s Agra
froze at -1degree Celcius. An embattled Mayawati is now busy praying to God
Surya for sun shine as she grapples by setting her rape-corrupt administration
in order. Will God oblige? ---INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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