AP enhances grants to surrendered Maoists

The Andhra Pradesh government has doubled the relief amount provided to surrendered extremists from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000 to meet their immediate requirements as recommended by the High Powered Cabinet Sub-Committee dealing with “naxalite problems” in the state.

The government has also evolved guidelines for the rehabilitation of surrendered extremists to encourage surrenders and enable the extremists to join mainstream by providing them with economic support schemes. Depending on their economic status, they become eligible for grant of White cards, housing, LPG subsidy and also admission to skill development courses, says a special Government Order issued by the AP government on Wednesday.

According to a GO issued here, the Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), AP, has stated that the immediate relief of Rs.5,000 was meagre to meet the needs of the surrendered extremists, keeping in view the increase in prices of essential commodities and standard of living.

The grant has no impact on other special grants like reward money on the surrendered extremist and others like healthcare, education, jobs etc, he says.

The Nallamala forest belt in Guntur and Kurnool ,Prakasam districts,Sheshachalam belt of Chittoor and Kadapa, Manyam forests of Srikakulam, Viziangaram and Visakhapatnam are still home to CPI (Maoists) and three other factions of extremists. Almost 160 members surrendered last year and 10 were killed in encounters. According to intelligence sources, a hand count of just 75 UGs and 300 hard cores were operating in the state and providing support to the organised extremist activity at AOB ( Andhra Orissa Border) and other states.