Naxalism will be wiped out from CG, India: HM

Says states jails turning into reformation centres
 

Assures House that staff responsible for mismanagement in paddy purchase will not be spared

House passes demand for budgetary grants of Rs 2427.21 cr for home, jail and cooperative departments through voice vote

Raipur, February 28, 2013

Home minister Nankiram Kanwar hopes that naxalism will be wiped out from Chhattisgarh as well as the entire country in coming years. “There has been marked decline in naxal incidents. Our police are working actively in this direction. The Maoists have started migrating to other states. The naxal incidents in state are actually being carried out by extremists from other states,” Kanwar said while speaking during debate over demand for budgetary grants of Rs 2427.21 crore for home, jail and cooperative departments at state assembly on Thursday. The House passed demand for grants for the three departments through voice vote.

Kanwar said the government had succeeded in maintaining peace in the state. “Our priority is to strengthen police force. In past nine years, the government approved 87 new police stations and chowkies each amid 2003-2012. During this time, 36 chowkies were upgraded to police stations,” he added.

He informed the House that the government created 41669 new posts in police department in nine years. “The police force has inflated to 67875 at present,” he said.

He claimed that crime rate had dipped in the state, especially rape incidents. “The murder cases have declined by 10.9%, attempt of murder by 20% and rape by 1.8% in the recent years. We are taking prompt action on every criminal incident,” he said.

He said there was no pressure under Raman Singh government – neither political nor administrative.

He admitted that the state jails are overloaded and informed the House that soon new barracks would be constructed to increase accommodation capacity of jails.

He said the jails were turning into reformation centres with several provisions made by the government to transform the prisoners into good human beings. 

“We are organising skilled training programmes in jails so that prisoners could start their own business after completing jail term. We also organise yoga and other activities to keep them physically and mentally healthy,” he said.

He pointed that he was well aware of wrongdoings in paddy procurement centres and assured the House to take stringent action against those who did not take safety measures for stored foodgrains during rains despite provision of funds. 

He claimed that Chhattisgarh is among the few states which provides agriculture loan at very low interest rate. He informed the House that the state’s crop production had increased as the farmers were adopting modern farm techniques.

What other MLAs said..

People insecure: Dharamjeet Singh

Congress MLA Dharamjeet Singh said despite provision of massive fund in budget, police failed to provide security to children, girls, women and businessmen. He asked the government to equip the police and police stations will weapon and other resources. Pointing towards naxal problem, he said the government should also strengthen its urban network. 

He also asked the government not to make public the induction of modern weapon technology in police force. “You should keep it secret. You use modern resources to take action against criminals and naxals but do not disclose it. Let the police know what is happening and focus in arresting criminals,” he said.

He asked home minister Nankiram Kanwar the reason for not upgrading Raipur central jail despite sanctioning of funds. “You have kept 11000 prisoners in the jail while its capacity is not more than 3000-4000,” he said. 

“In last three years, over 3000 murder, 1100 abduction, 3000 rape and more than 12000 suicidal case came to fore. During this period, 10000 women and 5000 girls disappeared. However, the HM claims that home department is working actively which is unacceptable,” he said.

Coop department functioning well: Bandhi

BJP MLA Dr Krishnamurthy Bandhi demanded to open police chowkies in Devrikhurd, Jodhra and Khamaria. He said he had been demanding for the chowkies in the three places for past three years. He also demanded to open a bank in Masturi.

He praised the works of cooperative department and said large number of farmers got benefited by it. He also appreciated the government’s paddy procurement system.

HM fails to control police admin: Lekhram Sahu

Congress MLA Lekhram Sahu hit the HM for failing to control police administration. “Even the HM admits about it,” he said. Indicating that the police had failed to nab decamping criminals for past five years, he asked why not the police stations be closed for their inaction. 

He alleged that the cops were protecting people engaged in illegal business. He criticised the government for failing to check illegal liquor sale and gambling in rural pockets. 

He charged that the cooperative societies were weighing 3-5 kg more while procuring paddy from farmers.

Gov curbed Maoism: Rajni Tripathi

BJP MLA Rajni Tripathi said the government wiped out naxals from Sarguja belt. She said the government also succeeded in curbing naxalism in recent years and told the House that Maoists incidents reduced from 610 in year 2010 to 412 in 2012. During this period, she said, large number of naxals got killed. She further said that the government was recruiting large number of police personnel to strengthen police stations.

Grafts in police department: Premsai Singh

Congress MLA Premsai Singh Tekam alleged that corruption prevailed in police department. He said the police officials do not heed the HM. “The minister does not even has right to transfer a jawan,” he ridiculed. 

He felt that the home department should serious mull why 226 jawans left job and 229 were not coming to duty. Questioning government’s anti-naxal polices, he said Bastar was still being ruled by naxals.

Crime rate increased: Rampukar Singh

Congress MLA Rampukar Singh pointed that state the lacked security and peace. He said the home department completely failed to improve conditions in Bastar. 

“Crime rate has gone up under BJP regime. Jails are overloaded. The condition of Jashpur jail is pathetic. About 450 prisoners have been kept in this while its capacity is 150,” he added.

He demanded to open sub-jail in Patthalgaon, police chowkies in Tamta and Mahadevgarh and sub-centre to procure paddy at Jashpur. He also urged the government increase members of cooperative committees.

HM remarks discouraging cops: Bhardwaj

Congress MLA Dr Haridas Bhardwaj said HM’s remarks negatively impacts spirit of police personnel. He said it was surprising that the home department claims of dip in crime rate when murder cases increased from 247 in year 2011 to 277 in years 2012. 

He lashed the government for giving 50% more salary to the security personnel engaged in VIP duty and not giving any benefit to those pressed in naxal belts. Indicating that the prisoners had been kept like cattle in jails he asked the HM to increase barracks. 

Questioning agriculture loan sanctioning system, he said fake loan of Rs 5 crore on the name of 700 farmers had been exposed. He further mentioned that the farmers, who had taken agriculture loan, were not getting payments against their procured paddy.