Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar today appealed to the Centre that it should help states "open-heartedly" to tackle the Maoist problem.

"Centre should help states open-heartedly for ensuring integrated development and modernisation of security forces for tackling the problems relating to Maoists," Kumar told reporters on his return from Delhi after attending a meeting called by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue.

"It would be difficult to contain the menace of Maoists by use of forces alone," he said.

Kumar said his government has made integrated development the core basis for tackling the problem and has started "Sarkar Apke-Dwar" programme in 67 panchayats in Maoist-hit districts.

Under the programme, several development works and welfare schemes were underway in these areas, he said.

Kumar suggested that the Centre should launch Special District Development Programme for the Maoist-affected districts in the country to speed up the pace of development.



According to the report of the state level planning committee, Meghalaya has 850 species of medicinal plants, 377 of which are used by at least 80 per cent of the state?s population for primary healthcare needs.

Of this, 74 medicinal and aromatic plants have high therapeutic value.

According to the report, species like Nepenthes khasiana and Piper peepuloides, endemic to Meghalaya, are globally threatened.

There are around 136 practitioners of local herbal medicines and 15 private clinics. As none of these are registered under relevant acts and rules, the bio-diversity rule was adopted by the cabinet to see that the herbal practitioners are properly empowered.

The board would offer suggestions to the government in matters related to the conservation, promotion and sustainable use of biological diversity as well as equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the realization of biological resources.

The cabinet also approved the Meghalaya State Legal Service Authority (Amendment Regulation) to ensure speedy disposal of the cases at the Lok Adalats.