Nayagarh:
The Orissa state government and the Centre are facing a situation where Naxals are benefiting of their welfare schemes in Maoist-affected areas.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has assured an agitated opposition that all efforts are being made to flush out the Naxalites from the State.
The Centre's double policy of development and police action to deal with Maoists appears to be ineffective, as funds marked for developmental projects are being extorted by Maoists themselves.
This Maoist encounter in Nayagarh recently was an eye opener on how strong they are. A mid-level militant arrested just before the attack confessed that his group had collected Rs 60 crores in just two months through extortions.
Deputy General CRPG said, ",Where ever there are development agencies, houses and roads are being built and there are instances of extortion. Development Funds are being extorted in places where Maoists are strongest.",
There are complaints filed by contractors carrying out developmental work giving details of extortion money paid to Maoists.
Ironically funds for them in Maoist-affected area is never a problem.
About Rs 7000 crores has come in the last two years under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Another Rs 6000 crores will come in the year 2008.
Over Rs 200 crores will come into these areas under the Backward Regions Grant. An additional Rs 2800 crores are marked for the Backward District Development scheme.
",They don't target NREGA because it goes to the common man but they do take money from contractors executing various projects,", said Raghuvansh Prasad, Minister of Rural Development.
It is a Catch-22 situation for the government because if it reduces developmental funds the Maoist will benefit and also if it continues to pour in funds, Maoist's get a large share of it through extortion.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has assured an agitated opposition that all efforts are being made to flush out the Naxalites from the State.
The Centre's double policy of development and police action to deal with Maoists appears to be ineffective, as funds marked for developmental projects are being extorted by Maoists themselves.
This Maoist encounter in Nayagarh recently was an eye opener on how strong they are. A mid-level militant arrested just before the attack confessed that his group had collected Rs 60 crores in just two months through extortions.
Deputy General CRPG said, ",Where ever there are development agencies, houses and roads are being built and there are instances of extortion. Development Funds are being extorted in places where Maoists are strongest.",
There are complaints filed by contractors carrying out developmental work giving details of extortion money paid to Maoists.
Ironically funds for them in Maoist-affected area is never a problem.
About Rs 7000 crores has come in the last two years under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Another Rs 6000 crores will come in the year 2008.
Over Rs 200 crores will come into these areas under the Backward Regions Grant. An additional Rs 2800 crores are marked for the Backward District Development scheme.
",They don't target NREGA because it goes to the common man but they do take money from contractors executing various projects,", said Raghuvansh Prasad, Minister of Rural Development.
It is a Catch-22 situation for the government because if it reduces developmental funds the Maoist will benefit and also if it continues to pour in funds, Maoist's get a large share of it through extortion.
