Forces to have say in anti-Maoist spend

As the Planning Commission has made way for Niti Aayog, the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) — a central scheme for development of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, will now be under the control of the Union home ministry.

As the Planning Commission has made way for Niti Aayog, the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) — a central scheme for development of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, will now be under the control of the Union home ministry.

And more importantly, the central paramilitary forces (CPMF), deployed in the LWE areas, will also get a say in the IAP spending with their representative sitting in block-level spending committee, said officials familiar with the plan.

“The CPMFs had been asking for a say in the IAP spending since 2010 when it was implemented. Earlier, the district administration under pressure from local politicians, was allocating funds for projects, which suited their political requirement rather than where it was required most. In the most affected areas, there is no civil administration and only the CPMF have ground presence and they interact with people. Therefore, they know what spending is required for the people as well what is also necessary operationally. Having a say in the spending of the IAP will help in its better implementation,” said a CPMF official requesting anonymity. The IAP is being implemented in 88 selected Maoist-affected districts in different states and various development schemes like construction of roads, bridges, school buildings, providing drinking water facilities to rural population are being carried out through it. Under the IAP, each district is allocated `30 crore per year.