Bhopal, December 19: Asserting that Naxalism is a socio-economic problem, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said it could be solved through education and development.
“Guns and police can’t solve the Naxal problem. It is a socio-economic problem which can be tackled through education and development,” Pawar said addressing the 15th national conference of Akhil Bhartiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad here.
Education is a must for uplift of 11-crore tribals in the country, the NCP chief said.
Literacy rate is very low among the tribals, especially women, he said but added that there was 90 per cent literacy among tribals in some places in the northeast.
Pawar said the new economic policy pursued by Prime Ministers Rajiv Gandhi, Narasimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh has many benefits.
But, we have to ensure that the weakest section of the society is not exploited under it, he said.
–Agencies