pravash pradhan
post news network
New Delhi, June 12: The Centre has promised deployment of an additional battalion of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) on the Orissa side of the Chhattisgarh border, as was sought by the state to check Maoist infiltrations. Orissa will also receive priority in placement of dedicated military helicopters to tackle red menace, Union home minister Rajnath Singh assured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday.
The Chief Minister, who met Singh in his office here, pressed with the Centre to take urgent additional measures to tackle the Maoist menace. There was urgency for deployment of additional security forces along the Orissa-Chhattisgarh border to check the infiltration of rebels to the state. There was also the need to augment the strength of forces in Nuapada and Malkangiri districts, the Chief Minister told the home minister.
Patnaik told Singh that the 8-seater helicopter provided by the Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd(PHHL) for anti-Maoist operations was having limited utility. Sanctioning of two dedicated military helicopters, one each at Bhubaneswar and Koraput, to act as a force multiplier and aid emergency evacuation, would be of help, the Chief Minister stressed.
The Chief Minister raised the issue of charges for deployment of CAPF in anti-Maoist operations, which at present is shown as ‘outstanding’ against the state. The state government has trained and deployed over 30,000 police personnel by incurring substantial expenditure from the state’s resources to contain the Maoist menace. But, containment of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) is a collective responsibility of the Union and the states. Accordingly, the Union Government should reconsider its existing policy and bear the entire cost of deployment of CAPF for anti-Maoist operations, the CM pleaded with the Centre.
Patnaik brought it to the notice of the home minister that an amount of Rs172crore, for the period from 2005-06 to 2013-14, was yet to be released to the state under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme. The Centre was urged to expedite the release of this amount.
The Chief Minister told Singh that the work on construction of Gurupriya Bridge to connect the cut-off areas of Malkangiri to the mainland was progressing. The Union Government however released only `45crore till date against the approved cost of `187.25crore. The state sought urgent release of the balance amount.
Similarly, the Union Government should take up the matter with Andhra Pradesh regarding early construction of Motu bridge across River Sileru on the Ranchi-Vijayawada highway connecting Malkangiri district with Andhra Pradesh. This was of vital importance to anti-Maoist operations.
The state government, Patnaik told the Union minister, had already submitted a list of 47 road projects in 9 LWE districts, totalling 864.22km with an estimated cost of `1620.10crore. He impressed upon the Centre to expedite approval and release of funds for these road projects.
Further expressing concern at the delay in installation of mobile towers, the Chief Minister stated that BSNL Odisha has submitted a revised media plan to include 108 VSAT and 168 Micro Link connectivity. He urged upon the Centre to pursue the matter with the Department of Telecommunications for sanction of additional funds and early installation of the required mobile towers. These were of urgency to contain the Maoist menace in the state.
Rajnath Singh appreciated the concerns expressed by the Chief Minister and assured the Centre’s complete support to Orissa. He promised that one additional battalion of CAPF will be deployed on the Orissa side of Chhattisgarh border at the earliest. Orissa will receive priority in placement of dedicated military helicopters, which are expected to be procured by the Centre by November.
An official release here said that, on waiving off CAPF deployment charges, Singh appreciated the concern of Orissa and said this was a general request from all the Maoist-affected states. He would, however, take up the matter with the Road Transport & Highways ministry, and push for release of balance funds under RRP-I to ensure completion of Gurupriya bridge at the earliest.
The Union minister also agreed to pursue the matter with Andhra Pradesh for early construction of Motu bridge across Sileru river. The balance funds due to the state government under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme will be released on a priority basis, he said.
Singh said the Union home ministry would pursue the matter with the Telecommunications department for early installation of mobile towers as per the revised proposal submitted by BSNL, Odisha. On the issue of 47 road projects under RRP-II, the Union minister said the Centre is in the process of firming up the proposals received from states and action would be taken after seeking approval of the Union Cabinet.
