In yet another reminder to the Centre, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pressing for an early release of the long pending Security-Related Expenditure (SRE) claims of the State.
Sources said the State Government is to receive Rs 171.91 crore from the Centre for SRE in addition to financial assistance in shape of ex-gratia claims and insurance to the victims of Maoist violence, logistic support to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are being provided under the SRE scheme which is reimbursable as per the guidelines.
Explaining the details of security-related expenditure made for the CAPFs from State exchequer, Patnaik has stated categorically in his letter to Singh that during the period from 2005-06 to 2013-14 while Odisha spent Rs 379.68 crore, the Union Home Ministry has reimbursed only Rs 207.77 crore. The Union Government should reimburse the balance amount of Rs 171.91 crore at the earliest.
The Chief Minister has stated that even as the Maoist menace is a national crisis, Odisha is able to resist the Red rebels successfully, adding that the State police forces along with the CAPFs have contributed their best to deal with the situation.
Patnaik has appreciated the SRE scheme as it is quite helpful in carrying out the anti-Maoist operations.