Integrated Action Plan Helped to Reduce Naxal Violence: IAP Data

The Integrated Action Plan data for 2012-13 revealed that violence related to Left-Wing extremism decreased in 82 Naxal-affected Districts due to successful implementation of IAP projects.

The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) started in 2011 with 6090 crore Rupees allocation and 74 percent of the money was utilised with roads, drinking water facilities, and social infrastructure like schools and Anganwadi centres.

Around 1.10 lakh projects were taken up and 77 percent of them were completed by the end of June 2013. The IAP was monitored by the Planning Commission through regular video-conferencing with the district collectors authorised to use funds as per the local needs of villages.

It was found out that the IAP objectives were met in most of the states, even though the scheme was poorly implemented in Bihar, where naxal movement is said to be gaining ground.

In the 11 Districts covered under IAP in Bihar, the expenditure was just 61 percent, much lower than the National average, with two Districts -Munger and Kaimur- not seeking any money in 2012-13. West Champaran District took up 1480 projects and completed none.

Munger completed only 25 percent of the projects undertaken. The best performing District was Gaya with 96 percent projects being completed. Maharashtra performed the best and was followed by Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The worse performing states were Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

About the Integrated Action Plan
• The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for Selected Tribal and Backward Districts under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) programme covers 82 districts.
• The IAP has been implemented (2010-13) with a block grant of 25 Crore Rupees and 30 Crore Rupees per District during 2010-11 and 2011-12 respectively.
• A Committee headed by District Collector/District Magistrate and consisting of the Superintendent of Police of the District and the District Forest Officer was responsible for implementation of this Scheme.
• The Committee is responsible for drawing Plan consisting of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services such as School Buildings, Anganwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water Supply, Village Roads, Electric Lights in public places such as PHCs and Schools etc.