The State Government rolled out the Annual Work Plan (AWP) of Rs 85.85 crore for continuing anti-terrorism operations during the current year.
The AWP was approved in the State-level Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra here on Friday wherein IG Operations Amitav Thakur presented the updated situation with proposed work plan for discussion.
Mahapatra directed to intensify community mobilisation and confidence building activities in the suspected Leftwing-infested pockets. He specifically directed to stay connected with the people and community, know their concerns and raise their confidence level.
He also directed to support better alternative livelihood activities, and children education in the communities. He said, “People’s confidence and participation would go a long way in rooting out of LWE activities from the suspected pockets”.
In the meeting it was ascertained that extremism activities were well under control in the State. The Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district once considered to as epicenter of extremists could be made free of them with growing developmental interventions in the area. Well-planned intelligence based actions were being taken to counter them..
The fund provision of Rs.85.85 crore for AWP-2022-23 was about 50 per cent more than that of the AWP-2021-22. The AWP-2021-22 was rolled out with budget outlay of around Rs 50.56 crore. The funds for AWP 2022-23 would be shared by both the Central and State Government on 60:40 sharing basis.
With increase in budget provision, the amount of ex-gratia grant for the civilians and security personnel on duty was enhanced from Rs 2 lakh to 5 lakh, and Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, respectively.
The Chief Secretary directed to provide adequate logistic support to the security forces engaged in anti-terrorist operations.
The main activities under the AWP-2022-23, included procurement of modern ammunitions, adequate logistic support to security forces, training for State police force, community policing, additional fortification of the police posts and rehabilitation of LWE cadres.
Besides, the affected civilians and security personnel would be extended ex-gratia grant and property damage grant as per the specified guidelines.