State approves Rs 71 cr for anti-Maoist operations

Bhubaneswar: The State-level committee on anti-Maoist operations today approved an annual budget of Rs 71 crore for 2017-18 under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme.

The committee approved the SRE budget ahead of a crucial meeting of the Central government on December 11.

Usually the State government spends money for anti-Maoist operations and the Centre reimburses 60% of the total spending. “Today the State level committee approved the budget,” said Asit Tripathy, Home Secretary.

The SRE scheme fund is utilized by the State to fortify police station, construct boundary wall of police stations, train police personnel and meet arms and ammunition expenses of paramilitary forces.

The fund is also utilized to provide ex-gratia to families of civilians or security personnel killed during anti-Maoist operations.