Bhubaneswar: Operation Muskan of the Odisha government has been appreciated by the Ministry of Home Affairs, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the State Assembly on Friday during a debate on the voting of supplementary budget demand for home department.
Patnaik informed that 3,748 children have been rescued this year in the Operation Muskan-III.
Tackling crime against women, children and other vulnerable sections of the society has always been the top priority of the State said Patnaik adding the law and order situation in the State is by and large peaceful.
Establishment of women and children desks at police stations and direct recruitment of assistant public prosecutors are few of the steps taken by the government to improve the criminal justice system in State, added the Chief Minister.
Besides, claiming there is a surge in the Naxal activities in State, Patnaik alleged the Centre is not respecting Odisha's demand for deployment of adequate central force in the Naxal-hit areas.
He laid emphasis on the connectivity issue in the cut-off areas and said the State government is hopeful of establishing connectivity to the cut-off areas of Malkangiri district, a safe zone for the ultras, in a few months, despite lack of Central grants.
The supplementary budget of the Home Department was passed amid dissent of the BJP and Congress following which the House was adjourned till Monday.