Accepting that there is ‘huge trust deficit’ between government and people in the Naxal-affected areas of several parts of India, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram promised on Wednesday more inclusive growth in such areas. “We want to deliver more inclusive growth in the naxal-affected areas,” said Chidambaram in New Delhi at the release of CII’s report on ‘Security of Investments at Naxal-affected areas.’

The government was clear on how to control Naxalism, he said. “The police action and developmental activities are two points where we can attempt to bring inclusive growth to these areas.”

He said the government would pump more funds in addition to developmental budget in the specialised areas. “The national and state highways will specially get another Rs 7,300 crores, rural areas will get more 1,100 crores and Rs 500 crores will be allocated to tribal schools,” he said. 

“In Naxal-affected states, the problem is a lack of effective government. That is because institutions of government are not present in these areas. People are virtually alienated from the government.” 

He said the Maoists had targeted all instruments of development. “In 2009 alone, they demolished 71 school buildings, 23 panchayat bhawans, two power plants, attacked 67 telephone exchanges or mobile towers, carried out 46 attacks on railway properties, and 17 on specific industrial establishments,” Chidambaram added.

He criticised the role of citizens that were linked with the Naxals. The civil society was divided on the issue, he said, with one section clearly holding the view that government was bad and needed to be fought against at every turn and every stage. “I don’t want to take names but many of them are highly educated, hold very important places in universities and other institutions. They write very well; I wish I could write like them,” he added.

The home minister also called on the industry to help government in developing Naxal-affected areas rather than being only occupied with its profits and losses. “Are we content with our profit and loss accounts, our balance sheets, share of parties, daily dose of entertainment in the T20 matches,” he said. But at the same time the industry captains also demanded the same approach from the government to help them in setting up of industries.

The CII report, however, mentioned a completely different picture of investment in the Naxal-affected areas. The report said, “Between 1998 and 2005, most of these states, barring Bihar, have done phenomenally well in terms of profits. In fact, Orissa, Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand have registered profits much higher than the national average.”