Mobile towers, posts offices to be set up in Naxal-hit areas

NEW DELHI: New mobile phone towers and post offices will soon come up in worst Naxal-hit districts in Chhattisgarh with Home Minister Rajnath Singh ordering expeditious completion of work.

The instructions were given at a high-level meeting held in Raipur during his two day-visit to Chhattisgarh on Saturday and Sunday.

Singh reviewed the anti-Naxal operations and the development agenda with Chief Minister Raman Singh and senior officials of the central and state government besides the paramilitary forces.

He directed that the installation of mobile towers by the BSNL be expedited, particularly in Sukma district.

He said new post offices will be opened in the three worst affected districts of south Bastar namely Sukma, Bijapur and Dantewada.

Singh stressed on the need for expeditious formulation of the Road Requirement Plan, RRP-II, in consultation with the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.

He called for opening of schools and hostels, new bank branches and expansion of radio and TV coverage in these areas.

The state government proposed that the Centre should undertake the 'Bastar Plan' for its integrated development on both economic and security fronts.

The Chief Minister raised the issue of reimbursement under the Security Related Expenditure scheme and demanded the deployment of five CRPF battalions.

The Home Minister also held an interaction with the jawans of CRPF and State Police Force at Chintagufa camp in Sukma.

The jawans demanded adequate provision for family accommodation in group centres and removal of differences in pay and allowances between the state police force and paramilitary jawans staying in the same campus.

Assuring the jawans, the Home Minister said the constant effort of his ministry is to improve the working conditions and take welfare measures for jawans.