- GADCHIROLI: On his first visit to the Maoist ridden Gadchiroli district in Marathwada region on Monday to review developmental work in the district, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan called upon the Maoists to return to the mainstream through the democratic path.
- He told the Maoist rebels that they should surrender and follow the example of their counterparts in the other parts of the country where the Maoist leaders had laid down their arms and jointed the mainstream.
Addressing the media, Chavan who was accompanied by state home minister RR Patil, said that he was visiting Gadchiroli to review the development work and also discuss issues relating to general administration and Maoist problems.
Lavishing praise on Patil, who Chavan said had volunteered to become guardian minister of Gadchiroli, the chief minister said that he had held a serious of meetings on the security issues with senior police officials in Nagpur.
“There are several issues in the district that need to be sorted out soon. Some issues can be sorted out at state level while other issues have to be sorted out by the federal government,” he stated.
To the question of several posts lying vacant as government officials refuse to join duties in Maoist infested areas due fears of being attacked or killed by Maoists, Chavan said: “ I have sought the list of such government officials who refuse to serve in such districts due to fear of the Maoists. Stern action will be taken against such officers."
To another question as to how he would fill in the vacancies where officials have declined to join duties, Chavan said: “ I am aware of the existing vacancies in different departments. In some projects, private contractors seem to be doing a good work which has helped in countering the shortage of manpower.”
