New Delhi: Noting that the government has always been willing to enter into dialogue with any group willing to abjure the path of violence, President Pratibha Patil today said the security situation in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir had shown considerable improvement over the past one year.
“My Government has shown that acts of vio
lence can be contained with a firm but humane approach. The security situation in the North Eastern States and Jammu & Kashmir has shown considerable improvement during the last year.
“My Government has always been willing to enter into dialogue with any group willing to abjure the path of violence. It is encouraging that a number of organisations have come forward seeking resolution of their grievances in a peaceful manner,” the President said in her joint address to both the Houses of Parliament, to mark the beginning of the Budget Session.
The President said the government has launched a number of measures towards development of areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
About the steps to bring about improvement of the situation in J and K, the President said, “A major success achieved in Jammu & Kashmir was the conduct of the Panchayat elections after a long gap. It received an overwhelming response from the people with more than 80 per cent voter turnout.
“More than one crore pilgrims had ‘Darshan’ of Mata Vaishno Devi during 2011. The Special Industry Initiative Scheme known as ‘Udaan’ and the Skill development and Employment Scheme called ‘Himayat’ have been launched for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir. While ‘Udaan’ aims at targeting 40,000 youth for skill development, ‘Himayat’ would be covering one lakh youth in the next 5 years at a cost of Rs 235 crore. More than 1,000 trainees have already been given placement letters in different sectors.” On steps to tackle Left wing extremism, she said, “My Government has launched a number of measures towards development of areas affected by Left Wing Extremism.
The Integrated Action Plan with an outlay of Rs 3,300 crore in the past two years has brought development to the villages in the most backward and violence-affected districts of the country. The Plan, which was being implemented so far in 60 districts, has been extended to 78 districts.” On steps to improve the situation in the North Easter states, she said, “In deference to the long cherished wishes of the people of the region, my Government signed a tripartite agreement for setting up of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. Another tripartite Memorandum of Settlement has been signed with United People’s Democratic Solidarity in Assam.
“A non-lapsable central pool of resources has been created to cover the gaps in funding requirements of central Government projects in the North-East.” Noting that the bomb blasts on July 13, 2011 in Mumbai and September 7, 2011 in Delhi were a grim reminder that terrorist modules continue to be active in the country, the President said, “In 2011, 18 terrorist modules were neutralised. The National Intelligence Grid and the National Counter Terrorism Centre aim to improve India’s capability to counter internal security threats.” (KMW NEWS)Â
