Forces fighting Naxals likely to get enhanced allowances

NEW DELHI: Paramilitary personnel fighting Maoists may soon get enhanced allowances on a par with those serving in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern region.

The Home Ministry has submitted a proposal to the Finance Ministry in this regard and if it is cleared, more than 80,000 paramilitary personnel fighting the Maoists menace in nine states will be financially benefited.

Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said CRPF personnel deployed in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh had brought to his notice the issue of raising the allowances for the personnel fighting the Naxals on a par with those fighting in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast.

"I found their demand genuine. The Home Minister ( Sushilkumar Shinde) also gave his nod to the idea. And accordingly, a proposal has been made and forwarded to the Finance Ministry for its approval. Hopefully we will get it soon," Singh told reporters here.