The Planning Commission has made a strong case for bridging the development deficit in tribal areas, especially those affected by the Naxal violence. The Plan panel said this in a supplementary agenda note circulated on Thursday. It has been done ahead of the forthcoming National Development Council, NDC, meeting on Saturday. This will be for the first time that the NDC, which is headed by the Prime Minister and includes Cabinet ministers and Chief Ministers, will be discussing the internal security problem of Naxalism. The Planning Commission, which is also preparing an Integrated Action Plan, IAP, for 34 Left-Wing extremism affected districts, prescribed a three-pronged strategy to develop such areas. Highlighting that an improvement in the law and order situation will be a prerequisite for any development plan to work in such districts, the Plan panel has suggested strengthening the standards of governance. The panel is of the view that an improvement in governance would address the problem of alienation and convey a sense of empowerment. This can be achieved by taking corrective action under the Forest Rights Act.The commission also said that full implementation of the Panchayats Extension to Schedule Areas Act of 1996 (PESA) would be essential to deal with the situation.It has also called for improved implementation of development plans through enhanced monitoring and increased stakeholder participation.