Government plans to give incentives to bureaucrats, security personnel for working in Naxal belt

New Delhi: Government proposes a major policy change for bureaucrats and security personnel working in Naxal-hit areas and may give them special monetary benefits, out-of-turn promotions and posting of choice after completion of their tenures successfully in Maoist-affected places.

This was discussed during a meeting convened by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to review the steps being taken to check the Maoist menace, official sources said, adding the incentives are aimed at attracting talented IAS and IPS officers to work in Naxal-hit areas.

Flagging Naxal area as the 'most dangerous zone' in the country, the government will enhance hardship allowance given to paramilitary personnel deployed in these areas more than what they get while serving in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeastern region.

At present, a paramilitary constable serving in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast gets around Rs 8,000 per month in addition to his or her normal salary and other entitlements.

The policy change seems to have been inspired by the American model which gives its troops a choice posting besides special incentives like danger pay, imminent danger pay, hardship duty pay, hazardous duty pay, premium pay rest and recuperation travel allowance while serving in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

The Home Minister and Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju were on Friday briefed about various aspects of the Left Wing Extremism and the steps being taken to control it, the sources said.

Singh has emphasised that morale of the forces should be kept high and development will take place only when the security situation is improved.