Pakistani groups have links with terror acts in India: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday said the "expanding footprint" of extremist and terrorist organisations in Pakistan and their links with terror activities in India was a major security challenge.

Addressing the concluding session of the conference of governors at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the prime minister said ceasefire violations were continuing along the Line of Control.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office, Modi said the government had moved away from the model of "one-size-fits-all" schemes and was working towards cooperative, competitive federalism through the NITI Aayog.

Modi also talked about security challenges and said the government has adopted a multi-pronged approach to counter infiltration from across the Pakistan border.

"The prime minister said that the expanding footprint of extremist and terrorist organisations in Pakistan, and their link with terror activities in India, is a major security challenge," the statement said.

He outlined the broad thrust of the central government's policies and said they were oriented towards all-round economic growth.

He urged states facing the problem of Left-wing extremism to adopt a coordinated approach to tackle the problem.

Modi stressed the need for ending the infrastructure deficit in the northeast to realise the immense potential of the region and to help it march forward shoulder-to-shoulder as part of "Team India".

The release said the prime minister spoke extensively on tribal development, and referred to the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, which was initiated in 2007 when he was the Gujarat chief minister.

He stressed the need for stable employment for tribals.

Modi spoke about initiatives of the union government including the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Direct Benefit Transfer, Digital India mission, Make in India mission, skill development and elimination of outdated laws.

He asked teh governors to contribute in the successful implementation of important central schemes.

Modi said the governors were chancellors of universities and in that capacity, they should inspire youth and their families to work towards Swachh Bharat (Clean India).
He also touched upon social issues such as drug abuse, declining sex ratio and food adulteration.

Referring to rural electrification, he said 20,000 villages still remained without electricity, and also talked about pending projects in road, rail and power sectors.