Rs 2.5 cr released to develop Naxal-infested areas: SP

The State government has released Rs 2.5 crore to take up development work in 11 Naxal-infested villages of Belthangady taluk, said Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Goyal.

Speaking to presspersons, he said the State government has released Rs five crore each to eight Naxal-infested taluks in the State. As many as 16 development work has already been sanctioned. The officials from the police, revenue, ITDP and social welfare departments will hold a joint survey for 10 development work in 11 villages. A meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa Gowda in this regard on Monday.

The joint survey is being carried out to ensure that there was no misuse of funds meant for the development of Naxal- infested areas. The work on roads and drains have been taken up in Naravi, Kuthloor, Kukkaje, Shirlali, Aladangadi, Mithabagilu, Malavanthige, Nada, Indabettu. The work on health centre at Yelaneer has begun. Five more roads will be developed in Yelaneer, he added. As many as 13 persons from Naxal-infested areas have been selected as teachers.

The DC has released Rs 41 lakh to take up development work under Calamity Relief Fund. The ITDP will distribute solar lamps, provide financial assistance to repair houses and take up self-employment training programmes in 11 villages at an estimated cost of Rs 95 lakh.

ZP CEO Dr K N Vijayaprakash has promised to release funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to develop land of the job card holders in the area, the SP said.  “The Naxal- infested areas come within the National Park as well as outside the National Park. The permission from the forest department is essential to take up work inside the forest. Hence, all the departments are taken into confidence while implementing the work,” he added.