High-level meeting to enhance infrastructure for security forces in Naxal-hit states
14 Oct 2008, 2007 Hrs

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New Delhi, Oct 14 The Union Home Ministry today held a high-level meeting for implementation of first phase of the Rs 500 crore special scheme that aims to enhance critical infrastructure for security forces in Naxal-affected states.

The meeting, chaired by Special Secretary in the Home Ministry Vinay Kumar and attended by top police and civil officials of eight worst Naxal-hit states, chalked out strategies to implement the scheme aiming to enhance security personnel's mobility and security of camping grounds besides building helipads at strategic locations.

"For the current fiscal, Rs 100 crore has been earmarked, while Rs 400 crore would be spent in the remaining period of the 11th Plan," a senior Home Ministry official said.

The new scheme will adequately provide for crucial infrastructure requirement that are critical to policing and security needs in the field but are not adequately included in any existing scheme.

Construction of roads along railway tracks to enable the forces to ensure safe movement of trains, improvement of connectivity with high-risk police stations and construction of boundary walls around police posts are some of the other focus areas of the ambitions scheme.

"Initially the scheme will be implemented in 13 districts of eight states. Though, we have received proposals for eight districts only, we have decided to go ahead with it," the official said.

The eight districts are Aurangabad, Gaya (Bihar), Malkangiri, Raigad (Orissa), Bijapur, Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Khammam (Andhra Pradesh) and Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh).

The scheme was approved at the 11th September meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. (ANI)