Opposition today said neglect of development of certain regions by the government had led to increase in naxalism in those areas and alleged that UPA had failed to control rise in poverty due to its faulty policies.

Resuming the discussion in the Lok Sabha on Motion of Thanks to the President's address, Jay Panda (BJD) said leftwing extremism was growing in those regions of the country where development was slow.

He said places where rail track density was less, there was less development and these areas witnessed leftwing extremism.

Panda said railway tracks had been laid at a very slow pace in Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput region of Orissa.

He alleged the centre was not cooperating with the Orissa government in correcting anomalies in the list of BPL card-holders.

Rajiv Ranjan Singh (JD-U) said it has become "fashionable" for the government to quote GDP growth as a measure of progress and maintained that while 65 percent of the population was involved in agriculture, government was more concerned about the industry and the service sector.

He said price rise can be checked only if the government focused on agriculture instead of industries.

Lalan also pointed out that some areas were affected by naxalism as there was no development there.

On the Women's Reservation Bill, which is likely to be tabled in Parliament on March 8, he said it should be passed after evolving a consensus among all parties and not just on the basis of majority vote. .
  
T K S Elangovan (DMK) said his party wanted the Centre to introduce the Food Security Bill in this session so that soaring prices of foodgrains could be brought under control and punitive action taken against hoarders.

He regretted that the President's address did not call for a negotiated political settlement to the Sri Lankan ethnic issue and only talked about support to rehabilitation of the internally displaced people in the war-torn island nation.

Elangovan wanted the Centre to spell out its action plan to implement Sethu Samudram Project to allow shipping through the Palk Straits.

Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) said the address lacked "tangible relief" for the people suffering due to price rise, which had touched a 26-year high.

Amidst interruptions by Trinamool Congress members, he said a particular political party was extending support to Left extremists in West Bengal, which did not face the Maoist scourge until three years ago.

After the CPI-M member made a reference to a Union Minister while touching upon the Maoist problem, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Narayanasamy raised a point of order citing rules that provided for a notice before making any allegation or incriminatory remarks against a minister.

Nageswara Rao (TDP) slammed the Centre for neglecting agriculture, due to which farmers were quitting the sector and migrating to the cities in search of work.

Anant Geete (Shiv Sena) said the budget and President's address did not have anything for the common man and farmers.

He said the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme had failed across the country.