Naxalism, terrorism, fundamentalism key challenges: PM

PM Manmohan Singh has termed Maoist violence, cross border terrorism and religious fundamentalism as key internal security challenges and favoured dealing them with firm and effective hands.

Addressing a conference of chief secretaries in New Delhi on Friday, Singh promised all possible assistance to the states in their efforts to deal with all internal security challenges.

"Serious challenges and threats, primarily from left wing extremism, cross border terrorism, religious fundamentalism and ethnic violence still persist. These need to be tackled with a firm and effective and yet sensitive hand," he said.

The Prime Minister said the internal security situation in the last one year was by and large peaceful and lauded the states in their efforts in maintaining peace.

"I must compliment the states for ensuring that the situation on the internal security front remains by and large stable in the last one year," he said.

Singh said the Central government will continue providing all possible assistance to the states in their efforts in this direction.

He also termed disaster management as yet another area that requires systemic attention.

"...these are issues of continuing importance and ones that require persistent efforts for their resolution," he said.

Singh, also emphasised on the need for better coordination between the Centre and States for ensuring probity, accountability and good governance.

Addressing a conference of chief secretaries of States and Union Territories, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh said that it is unfortunate that the Lokpal and Lokayukta bill could not be passed by the Rajya Sbaha in the last winter session.

He said in the path of ensuring transparency and accountability we have a long way to go and we need to persist with our efforts to curb corruption in public life.

Dr Manmohan Sing asserted that the GDP growth this fiscal will be between 7 to 7.5 percent mostly due to continuing uncertainty in global economic environment.

Prime Minister said that the introduction of the Food Security Bill is a historic step.

Dr. Singh said the bill provides legal entitlements to appropriate nutrition for all.

He said it can only become a reality only if we can reform our Public Distribution System.