Minister of Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar has said an effective decentralisation could contribute significantly towards addressing the Naxal menace, which has spread across as many as 13 states in the country.Aiyar, who was speaking at the sidelines of a conclave of financial writers, pointed out that his ministry had taken up the issue of ‘‘harmonisation’’ of state laws with the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act 1996. The Indian Law Institute also has been asked to examine the legislations of some states that are in conflict with the provisions in the Panchayati Act.‘‘No panchayat elections have been held in Jharkhand and numerous deficiencies can be traced in the state laws in Orissa,’’ the minister said in reference to the Naxal-affected states. ‘‘There is no single solution to the Naxal problem but effective implementation of the system in these states will ensure that the people have a greater say in their affairs.’’An amendment in 1996 extended the Panchayati Act to Schedule V areas in nine states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Orissa. These are tribal dominated pockets, some of which have witnessed a considerable growth of the Naxal movement.Aiyar was of the opinion that an effective panchayati system would have the benefit of ensuring that development funds reach the grassroots. ‘‘This is true for both Naxal and non-Naxal regions,’’ he said.
