State government plans extra financial help to surrendered Maoists

KOLKATA: Mamata Banerjee's government is planning to give some additional financial reliefs to the surrendered Maoists before Lok Sabha elections. For the purpose, the state government on Thursday has sought Election Commission Of India's permission to restructure the existing rehabilitation packages for the surrendered Maoist activists.

Sources in the state's home department said on Thursday that the government wanted to incorporate in the existing rehabilitation packages some allowances which the government wanted to give the surrendered Left Wing Extremists (LWEs) The state government has plans to give each Maoist activist who had shun the path of violence Rs 2500 per month as house rent allowance and Rs 500 as medical allowances .

“We want to give each of the surrendered Maoist activists Rs 2500 as house rent and Rs 500 as medical allowance per month. Also, we want to give another Rs 500 per month as education allowance to enable the surrendered Maoist cadres help their children to continue school education which we wish to increase up to Rs 1500 per month for those who will finish their higher secondary education and go for higher studies,” said a senior state government official.

The official also said that they sought Election Commission's permission because the Commission has already announced dates for Lok Sabha polls model code of conduct which is in force now. Five phase polls in West Bengal will commence on April 7 and the last round of elections will be held on May 12.