New Delhi: Orissa Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik today demanded enhancing the security-related
expenditure (SRE) budget for the state during the current
fiscal to tackle the Naxal menace.
"The SRE should be enhanced to Rs 61.50 crore during the
current year," he said addressing a meeting of the Naxal-
affected states here and added that at least 50 per cent of
the budget should be provided as advance to the state.
The socio-economic development of the Naxal-hit areas
continues to be the priority of the state, he said and also
demanded release of Rs 70 crore to Orissa, as recommended by
the 13th Finance Commission this year.
Patnaik said districts of Koraput, Sundargarh,
Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Kandhamal should be included in the
existing approved list of 34 districts of Planning Commission
for intensive development and modification of the Special
Infrastructure Scheme (SIS).
He sought deputation of 15-20 officers from Central
paramilitary forces to lead the state`s armed battalions in
the anti-Naxalite operations and deployment of three
battalions of CRPF in the northern part of the state to tackle
the Naxal menace.
While welcoming a new scheme of the Home Ministry for
allocating Rs two crore per police station in the Naxal-
affected districts on 80:20 sharing basis, he informed that 75
police stations in the state would be taken up in the first
phase under the scheme.
He demanded relaxation in the provisions of the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980 to provide for diversion of forest
land for setting up of police establishments, as was done
earlier in 2005.
Patnaik underlined the need to strengthen the security
along the Orissa-Chattisgarh border by including two more
districts of Kalahandi and Nuapada under SRE Scheme.
The Chief Minister sought placing a helicopter at the
disposal of the state for mobilising troops and supplies and
urged the Defence Ministry to conduct special recruitment
drives for tribal youths of Orissa in the armed forces.
PTI
