WB Police: Maoist-hit police stations in WB likely to get more central aid

The West Bengal government has sent grant proposals to the Centre for upgrading police stations and improving infrastructure in three Maoist-hit districts.

“We have sent a proposal for upgradation of 18 police stations in West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia under a newly launched Central scheme for the Maoist-hit areas,” Inspector General of Police (Organisation), Kuldeep Singh said.

“Under the scheme, Rs two crore will be provided for construction, upgradation and fortification of dilapidated police station areas,” he said.

“So far, the Central government has given the aid to 400 police stations spread over 83 districts in eight Maoist-hit states,” Mr. Singh said.

Among the 18 police stations earmarked for upgradation in Bengal, eight are in West Midnapore district including Binpur, Jhargram, Sankrial, Kotwali, Lalgarh, Goaltore, Keshyari and Gopiballavpur.

The six police stations in Purulia are Arsha, Bundwan, Jhalda and Khatshila and the rest four from Bankura are Simlipal, Ranibandh, Sarenga and Raipur.

Asked whether this fund will be used only for infrastructure development, Mr. Singh said, “Apart from infrastructure, sophisticated firearms and equipment will also be purchased.”

The State government has also sought nearly Rs 10 crore under Centre’s Special Infrastructure scheme — meant mainly for development of police stations, out—posts and camps in far—flung areas in Maoist—hit districts.

This scheme was started in 2006 for construction of roads, fortification of jails, renovation of police stations and out-posts and making of camps in those remote areas.

“The State began getting grant under this scheme from 2009—10 when the Centre pumped in Rs 10.6 crore which was raised to Rs 12.86 crore in 2010—11 financial year,” the top cop said.

While in the first year, the fund was used mainly for developing those facilities in West Midnapore, from the next year Bankura and Purulia were also included.

However, this year’s plea for about Rs 10 crore is yet to be sanctioned, Mr. Singh informed.

Apart from these two special grants, the union government gave an aid of Rs 626.34 crore in the 2010-11 financial year, Rs 162 crore in 2009—10 and Rs 244 crore in 2008-09 under various schemes for development in the Left-wing extremism (LWE) affected states.