Jharkhand sends development plan for Maoist-infested districts to Planning Commission

Jharkhand's ten districts, which are among the country's 34 Maoist-affected districts selected for the Integrated Action Plan (IAP), have sent development plans to Planning Commission to tackle the left-wing extremism.

"We have already sent the plan," Latehar deputy commissioner Rahul Kumar Purwar told PTI.

Latehar, Palamau, Chatra, Giridih, West and East Singhbhum districts, Lohardaga, Gumla, Bokaro and Garwah are among the 34 districts in the country shortlisted by the Planning Commission for preparing the IAP, officials said.

However, eighteen of the 24 Jharkhand districts and reportedly 186 districts across the country have Naxal presence.

Besides seeking plans from the most affected districts, the Planning Commission has also reportedly engaged studies to learn about governance and implementation of these schemes.

"The plan covers development in sectors like agriculture, irrigation and roads," Palamau deputy commissioner Amitabh Kaushal said.

The plan would also ensure employment and active participation of the people in development, hindered with the Maoists often imposing statewide shutdowns.

They have destroyed a large number of culverts, school and community buildings in the last nine years and extorted money from contractors doing roadworks. Several construction companies have also lost machinery worth crores in Naxalite
violence.