The Government to Provide Solar Energy in the Naxal Affected Areas

The Union government of India has planned a special package to provide solar energy in the naxal affected areas of the country. New and Renewable Energy Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah said, replying to supplementaries in the Rajya Sabha, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission for solar lanterns and solar home lighting systems, 30 per cent financial assistance is being given towards cost of installation in general category states. He said, 90 per cent of the cost is being borne by his Ministry to special category states including naxal-hit areas.

The word Naxal, Naxalite or Naksalvadi is a generic term used to refer to various militant Communist groups operating in different parts of India under different organizational envelopes. In the eastern states of the mainland India (Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa), they are usually known as, or refer to themselves as Maoists while in southern states like Andhra Pradesh they are known under other titles. They have been declared as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of India (1967).

The term Naxal derives from the name of the village Naxalbari in the state of West Bengal, India, where the movement had its origin.