New Delhi, Sep 13 (ANI): Stating that development should be in tune with the requirements of people, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday said Integrated Action Plan (IAP) is aimed at bridging the development deficit in the extremely backward areas that are affected by Left Wing Extremism.
Delivering the speech at national workshop on 'Appropriate Development Strategies for effective implement of Schemes of Rural Development in IAP Districts', Dr. Singh said: "The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) is aimed at bridging the development deficit in the extremely backward areas that are affected by Left Wing Extremism. Lack of security is a big constraint. Without effective security many of our programme cannot be implemented as intended. And therefore, the struggle to give a modicum of security to all those who are engaged in development of process in these difficult areas must go hand in hand with emphasis in development as it is traditionally understood."
"I know, it is not easy, it is difficult, there are no set rules, which will help you. You will have to learn by doing. Some things will work some things will not work. I heard for example the difficulties in establishing the post offices, the difficulties in establishing bank branches in these areas. May be we should experiment with the use of police stations - the ground floor can be the police station, the first floor can be the bank and similar other activities can be located at places where security can be provided for those who deal with the cash component of various programmes," he added.
Dr. Singh said the lack of development often leads to a sense of alienation among the inhabitants of these areas.
"If the sense of alienation is to be converted into a sense of belongingness, our programes and policies must ensure that the people of these areas have equitable share in the prosperity that a rapidly growing economy like ours is bound to bring in," said Dr. Singh.
"To this end, the experiences of participating Collectors and other field functionaries from the IAP districts should help us better orient and structure our programmes and put in place systems for efficient and more effective delivery. Our officers from the field shall, I hope, equally benefit by hearing the innovative methods adopted in similarly placed districts from other states," he added.
Dr. Singh further stressed on providing in-built flexibility in implementation of IAP so that the field officers are in a position to overcome the challenges peculiar to a district.
"While implementing the IAP, we must be sensitive to the aspirations of the common people voiced through the Panchayati Raj Institutions, more so in the Scheduled Areas where PESA is in force. I hope the presence of the new Minister of Panchayati Raj, V. Kishor Chandra Deo, will provide an opportunity to the Ministry to interact more regularly with what happens at the grassroot level and programmes where we want to give utmost emphasis to the gramsabhas, the panchayati raj institutions," said Dr. Singh.
"In some places things work, in some places these things do not work. How can panchayati raj become a genuine instrument of transforming the lives of the people living in these areas is a challenge, which we must learn to cope with," he added.
Dr. Singh further said it is crucial for policy-makers to acquaint themselves with the felt needs on the ground.
"In this context, today's workshop provides a very unique opportunity for sharing the experiences of our field level officers and thus deepen our understanding of ground realities," said Dr. Singh.
"And I hope in the process we will discover ways and means to improve the effectiveness these programmes as we move into the 12th five year plan. I commend our Ministries and the Planning Commission for organizing this workshop," he added. (ANI)
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