Raipur, Feb 8 (IANS) Chhattisgarh, one of India's states worst-hit by leftist militancy, has sought Rs.815 crore from the central government to strengthen police resources, officials said Monday.

'The state government has told the central government that its plan to strengthen police resources should be backed up by the centre and it needs Rs.815 crore immediately,' a senior home department official said, adding the state government had already sent details on why it needs to strengthen police resources.

Chhattisgarh, which came into existence in November 2000, has raised its annual budget for the police department from just Rs.248 crore in 2000-01 to Rs.923 crore for the fiscal 2009-10.

Chhatisgarh's police force strength has also gone up over 100 percent since 2000, from 22,952 police personnel to 48,656.