By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts covered under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme reduced from 126 to 90 in April 2018 and further to 70 in July 2021. 10 districts of Odisha namely Bargarh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabrangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, Sundargarh have been covered under the SRE Schemes, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, subjects of ‘Police and Public Order’ are with the State Governments. However, the Government of India (GoI) has been supplementing the efforts of States affected by left wing extremism.
On security front, the Central Government assists the LWE affected States by providing Central Armed Police Forces battalions, specialized training to the forces in the States, helicopters for LWE related duties, funds for modernization of State Police Forces, equipment & arms, sharing of intelligence, funds for capacity building of the forces of LWE affected States and their infrastructure, construction of Fortified Police Stations etc.
Projects worth approx. Rs. 991 crore have been approved during 2017-20 under Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS) for strengthening of State Police Forces and for construction of 250 Fortified Police Stations. Further Rs. 871.75 crore has been released under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme to 11 LWE affected States during the last three financial years.
On development front, the Central Government has taken various measures including improvement in road and telecom connectivity, financial inclusion by improving banking facilities, post offices, skill development, education facilities etc. in the LWE areas.
Apart from the flagship schemes of various Ministries, some specific interventions for LWE affected areas are as under:
Funds are provided to the States under ‘Special Central Assistance (SCA)’ to fill the critical gaps in public infrastructure and services. Rs. 2423.24 crore has been released to 30 most LWE affected districts in 07 States during the last three financial years.
Under the Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I) and Road Connectivity project for LWE affected areas (RCPLWEA) with combined outlay of over Rs. 20,000 crore, approximately 4700 km roads and 110 bridges have been constructed during the last 03 years.
Work order has been issued in September, 2021 for installation of 2542 towers under Phase-II of the Mobile Connectivity Project for LWE affected areas. Further, installation 4312 towers approved in 2021 for 36 LWE affected districts under the Mobile Services in Aspirational Districts Scheme.
08 ITIs and 01 SDC have been constructed during the last three years under “Skill Development Scheme in 47 Districts affected by LWE”.Efforts for improving educational opportunities include special focus on establishment of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). 148 EMRSs have been sanctioned during the last three years in LWE affected areas.Assistance to the States is based on assessment of LWE scenario and requirement of the States.
