Three Opposition-ruled States—Kerala, West Bengal and Odisha—have shown reluctance in becoming part of the Modi Government's plan to speed up development in 115 backward districts.
While sources said that the States were unhappy at the Centre's decision to appoint its officers to oversee developmental work, Union Minister Ram Kripal Yadav termed it a “political malice”.
Fourteen of these districts fall in these three States. Kerala is ruled by the left while in West Bengal and Odisha, Trinamool Congress and the BJD are at the helm of the power respectively.
Asked about the reluctance of the three States, Yadav said “political malice” appears to be the main motive behind their reluctance, insisting that such a mindset was an impediment to development.
Yadav, Minister of State for Rural Development, said the officers appointed by the Centre would be primarily entrusted with the coordination with States and observing development works and the charge that they would interfere into State's domain was wrong.
The Centre, he said, had identified 115 backward districts across the country based on a number of social and economic development parameters. These also included 35 districts hit by left-wing extremism and militancy, picked by the Home Ministry.
“The Prime Minister has already underlined his vision for a 'New India' by 2022. These districts have been identified due to their backwardness on metrics of health, education, poverty among others. He wants them to be developed by 2022. That is why our government has undertaken such a massive exercise,” Yadav said.
Modi had also interacted with district magistrates of these districts, he said. The Centre has appointed an officer each for these districts, a move which had angered some states. It is very unfortunate, Yadav said.