Odisha Govt Enhances Surrender Package to Rehabilitate Maoists

Bhubaneswar: In an effort to bring misguided youths associated with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its affiliated organisations back into the mainstream, the Odisha government has announced a major revision of its Maoist surrender and rehabilitation package.

The enhanced package offers financial incentives based on both the rank of the surrendering Maoist and the type of weapon surrendered. According to the revised policy, surrendered weapons will fetch the following incentives: ₹4.95 lakh for a Light Machine Gun (LMG), ₹3.30 lakh for an AK-47 rifle, and ₹1.65 lakh for an SLR rifle. Maoists carrying a reward of ₹10 lakh will receive an additional ₹5 lakh upon surrender.

Rank-based incentives have also been significantly increased. Politburo and Central Committee members will receive ₹1.10 crore, State Committee and Special Zonal Committee members ₹55 lakh, Regional Committee members ₹33 lakh, Divisional Committee members ₹27.5 lakh, and lower-ranked Divisional Committee members ₹22 lakh. The government will also consider withdrawing minor cases filed against those who surrender.

The revised policy aligns with the Centre’s rehabilitation strategy aimed at reintegrating Maoists into society.

“Irrespective of whether a Naxalite surrenders with or without weapons, an incentive of ₹25,000 will be provided, in addition to compensation for surrendered weapons,” the Home Department notification stated.

The notification further said that active surrendered Naxalites carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh or more will receive an additional one-time grant of ₹10 lakh, to be kept as a fixed deposit in a district-level bank. The interest accrued from this deposit will be given directly to the surrendered individual.

The state government hopes the upgraded package will encourage more Maoists to shun violence and return to peaceful life.