Here comes twin programmes from the State Government to check the Naxal menace in the hilly regions of Karnataka. The Centre has approved the Rs 524 crore project of Karnataka to improve road connectivity in the naxal affected areas of four districts. In addition, the State will be bringing these four districts under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme from April 1, to wean youth off Naxal activities.

The job seekers’ registration of the four Malnad districts — Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Shimoga — has already begun. At present only six districts have been covered under the NREGS, which assures a minimum of 100 days of employment to each worker and the minimum wage is Rs 74 a day. 

K Jairaj, Principal Secretary, Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department, said, “With the Centre approving our road improvement scheme on Thursday, work in all probability will begin in June this year. The Karnataka Rural Road Development Agency will be asked to prepare a detailed project report within next two months. The road connectivity and extending the NREGS to the hilly regions is a strategic move to check growing extremism”.

For the road communication work, the State will be getting additional financial assitance under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Phase 7.

Karnataka two months ago submitted a memorandum to the Centre seeking funds for the same.

On Thursday, the Union Ministry of Rural Development approved the project in principal, according to Jairaj.

Under the PMGSY Phase I-VI, the State has identified 8950 kms for improvement with an investment of Rs 1118 crore.

“We want to connect the hinterland to give fillip to economic activities. For this, road connectivity is a must. From law and order point of view, it is necessary to improve roads in the districts of Chikmagalur, Udupi, Tumkur and Shimoga,” he added.

On Thursday, Dr Rita Sharma, Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development, cleared Karnataka’s proposal of Rs 524 crore for improvement of rural roads. A sum of Rs 25 lakh will be spent on improving a km stretch.

Karnataka in its presentation made to the Centre had said that in 2006-07, one policeman and two members of the public were killed by naxalites. Naxalites were invovled in many dacoities, assault, extortion and other unlawful activities and sympathisers (in the guise of protectors of human rights) are supporting the Naxalities.

The CPI (Maoist) faction is gaining public sympathy under the ruse of protecting the interest of tribals in Kudremukh National Park area.  Maoists have intensified their activities in the Malnad region since 2002 .

Special grants

While explaining the efforts being made by the Government to check the menace, the State has said that efforts are being made to enlighten the misguided youth to lure them away from Naxals. In 2006-07, special grants were also provided to 152 gram panchayts in the Naxal affected areas to undertake minor irrigation projects etc.

The State has also pointed out that Malnad region receives an average rainfall of 400 cm annually and the hilly terrain makes it difficult to provide transport and communication facilities. Naxalities are able to gain ground here because of the difficult terrain and access to certain areas. Roads are required to facilitate movement of forces to contain Naxalite activities.