BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Government on Friday demanded more funds and Central forces for effectively combating the Maoist menace in the State.
The demand was raised at the meeting of the chief secretaries and directors-general police (DGPs) of 10 Naxalite-affected States convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi.
Sources said the State has demanded more funds under the Centrally-sponsored Integrated Action Plan (IAP) and Security Related Expenditure (SRE) schemes. Eighteen Maoist-affected districts are now covered under the IAP with each district receiving `55 crore under the scheme. The State Government received `825 crore during the last two years under the scheme.
The State had also demanded more Central forces for effective anti-Maoist operations.
The meeting, chaired by the Union Home Minister, discussed issues including greater coordination between Central and State forces and setting up of more communication towers in Maoist-affected areas. Besides, it also reviewed the progress of various ongoing developmental programmes in these areas.
Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval were present at the meeting. Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, Home Secretary Vipin Saxena and DGP Prakash Mishra attended the meeting from Odisha.