Odisha: CM Patnaik Writes To PM, Seeks Waiver Of Rs 4,561 Crore Deployment Charges Of Central Forces To Combat Naxals

Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik, on Thursday (28 April), wrote a letter to PM Narendra Modi to waive Rs 4,561 crore charges up to 1 October for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Odisha.

"The then Union Home Minister in his letter on 25 August, 2015, had intimated that there had been no change in the extant policy of the Government as approved earlier by the Cabinet Committee on security. As such, all States except the few Special Category States, viz., North-East, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, are required to bear full charges for the deployment of CAPFs in their states," reads the letter.

"In this context, it is reiterated that the problem of Naxal violence has spread to large areas of our country. Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) is a national issue and a grave internal security threat to the integrity of the Nation. This major challenge has to be addressed by both the Government of India and the State Government(s) jointly," Patnaik wrote.

Citing meagre resources available with the state in creating and deploying security forces even amidst its tight fiscal situation, Patnaik detailed the state's expenditures. Around 15 Battalions of State Police have been raised, specifically to combat Left Wing Extremism. He further added that 30,000 posts in the Police Cadre have also been created, according to the report published in ANI.

He further added that Left Wing Extremism is an issue of joint responsibility.

"I would, therefore, request you again to kindly reconsider the matter and direct the Ministry of Home Affairs to waive the amount that has been charged towards deployment of Central Forces in Odisha," he concluded.