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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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)