Koraput administration wants FM stations in Maoist-hit areas

Koraput (Odisha), Feb 23: As part of its efforts to make the people of remote areas aware of welfare schemes of the government, the Koraput district administration has proposed to the Centre to take the initiative of opening two FM radio centres in at least two Maoist-hit blocks.

"At present, we have limited means of reaching out to people residing in remote and inaccessible areas of the district. Through FM radio, which is also available in mobile phones, we can broadcast programmes to spread awareness about various welfare schemes of the state government," Koraput district Collector Jaya Kumar V said.

"When the right message reaches people in rural areas, there is very little chance of them being misguided by rebels," he added.

The administration made the proposal during Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Koraput last week to assess the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the state.

The administration also made a proposal to form a district-level coordination committee comprising the district collector, SP and head of the concerned central forces deployed in the district.

The committee will meet at regular intervals and chalk out a strategy to speed up development activities in the interior areas. "We have also proposed to the Centre to continue with Integrated Action Plan as it helps in building infrastructure in Maoist-hit areas," Kumar said.

PTI