(a) the steps taken by the Government to counter Left Wing Extremism in the States affected by it, with special focus on Jharkhand; and
(b) the progress of such steps undertaken?
(a) the steps taken by the Government to counter Left Wing Extremism in the States affected by it, with special focus on Jharkhand; and
(b) the progress of such steps undertaken?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (b): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
--2--
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *27 FOR 19.11.2019
(a) & (b): As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of Police and Public Order are with the State Governments. The Government of India has been supplementing the efforts of States affected by left wing extremism including Jharkhand. To address the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) holistically, Government of India has approved a National Policy and Action Plan in 2015. It envisages a multi- pronged strategy involving security related measures, development interventions, ensuring rights and entitlements of local communities etc. While on security front, the Central Government assists the LWE affected State Governments by providing Central Armed Police Forces battalions, training, provision of helicopters/UAVs, sharing of intelligence etc; funds for modernization of State police forces, equipments & arms, provision of funds under various schemes like Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme, Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). To supplement the development, the Central Government has taken various measures including construction of roads, installation of mobile towers, improving network of banks, post offices, health and education facilities in the LWE areas.
(ii) Under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme and Special Infrastructure Scheme, Rs.243 crore have been released to Jharkhand during last three years.
--3--
LS.S.Q.NO. 27 FOR 19.11.2019
(iii) To provide further impetus to development in most LWE affected districts, funds are provided under ‘Special Central Assistance’ to fill the critical gaps in public infrastructure and services. Till now Rs.1775 crore have been released to States under the scheme in last 03 years, of which Rs.773.33 crore have been released to Jharkhand.
(iv) Apart from flagship/ developmental Schemes being implemented by the line Ministries/ Departments, some specific schemes are also being implemented in LWE affected areas. Details are as follows:
Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) envisages construction of 5,422 km roads. So far 4833 km roads have been completed. This includes 760 km roads in Jharkhand, of which 707 km has been completed. Under Road Connectivity Project for LWE areas (RRP-II) 5065 km roads, including 615 km roads in Jharkhand, have been sanctioned. Of these 1062 km roads, including 184 km roads in Jharkhand, have been completed, so far. To improve telecomm connectivity 2335 mobile towers, including 816 mobile towers in Jharkhand have been installed in Phase-I of the Mobile Tower Project. Installation of 4072 towers including 1054 towers for Jharkhand has been approved in Phase-II of the project. For financial inclusion in LWE areas, Department of Posts has opened 1769 Post Offices in LWE affected districts, including 654
--4--
LS.S.Q.NO. 27 FOR 19.11.2019
Post Offices in Jharkhand. Further, Department of Financial Services has opened 879 new bank branches, 869 ATMs and 7456 Banking Correspondents (BCs) in 30 most LWE affected districts in last 4½ years. These include 294 bank branches, 319 ATMs and 2875 BCs in Jharkhand.
(v) The steadfast implementation of the policy has resulted in consistent decline in violence and shrinkage in geographical spread. Only 10 districts account for 2/3rd of LWE violence. The LWE related incidents of violence between May-2014 to April-2019 have been 43% lesser while compared with the preceding 5 years period. During the same period the number of incidents has declined by 45% in Jharkhand. The decline trend continues in 2019.
******