Odisha Govt Approves Rs 85.85-Crore AWP-2022-23 For Anti-Terrorism Operations

Bhubaneswar: With significant improvement in curtailing of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) activities in the state, the Odisha government has rolled out Annual Work Plan (AWP) of Rs 85.85 crore for continuing anti-terrorism operations during the current year.

The AWP was approved in State Level Committee meeting held at Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Friday. While giving nod to the AWP, chief secretary SC Mahapatra directed to intensify community mobilisation and confidence building activities in the suspected Left wing infected pockets. He specifically directed to stay connected with the people and community, know their concerns and raise their confidence level.

Mahapatra also directed to support better alternative livelihood activities, and children education in the communities. “People’s confidence and participation would go a long way in rooting out of LWE activities from the suspected pockets,” he said.

He also asked to provide adequate logistic support to the armed forces engaged in anti-terrorist operations. The main activities under AWP-2022-23 included procurement of modern ammunitions, adequate logistic support to armed forces, training for State police force, community policing, additional fortification of the police posts, and rehabilitation of LWE cadres.

It was revealed at the meeting that the fund provision of Rs 85.85 crore for AWP-2022-23 was about 50% 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 the Central and State governments on 60:40 basis.

With increase in budget provision, the amount of ex-gratia grant for the civilians and security personnel on duty has been enhanced from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh and Rs 20 lakh to Rs 40 lakh respectively.

IG Operations Amitav Thakur presented the updated situation with proposed work plan for discussion. Director General Police Sunil Kumar Bansal, Additional Chief Secretary Home Sanjeev Chopra, IG Operations A Thakur, Special Secretary Home Santosh Bala along with senior officers from police and intelligence wing participated in the deliberations.