Patna, April 21: Alarmed at the recent spurt in the Naxalite activities, the Bihar government has proposed inclusion of seven more districts in the security related expenditure (SRE) scheme of the Union government for Maoist-affected states. They are Vaishali, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Sheohar, Banka, Muzaffarpur and Khagaria.

Sources in the state police headquarters said a fresh proposal for including the seven districts under the SRE scheme has been submitted to the Union ministry of home affairs. At present, 15 districts are under the Centre-sponsored scheme. The state government gets the expenditure incurred on anti-Naxalite operations reimbursed under the scheme.

“The proposal for inclusion of seven new districts under the scheme was sent to the Centre about two-three months ago,” said a senior police officer associated with anti-Naxalite operations.

Director-general of police (DGP) Neel Mani said the government was hopeful of getting five districts — Lakhisarai, Banka, Sheohar, Begusarai and Vaishali — covered under the SRE scheme this year.

“The matter is in an advanced stage,” he said, adding that he had sent a reminder to the officials of the ministry of home affairs at a high-level meeting convened by the Prime Minister in February this year.

The DGP said a proposal has also been submitted to the state government to provide benefits to the security personnel posted in the districts not covered under the SRE scheme from its resources. “The matter is under active consideration of the government,” he added.

The SRE scheme has been quite helpful to the states hit by Naxalite menace. Sources said Rs 36.33 crore was sanctioned to the Bihar government under the scheme in 2010-11. “Community policing launched by the state police in the Naxalite-hit districts recently is also covered under the SRE scheme,” the police officer said, adding that Rs 2 lakh has been provided to each Maoist-affected district for community policing.

He said the monthly allowance of the special police officers posted in the Maoist-affected districts has also been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000 with effect from August 16, 2010.

“While 80 per cent of the money will be reimbursed by the Union government, the state has to fund the rest,” the officer added.

Sources in the home department said Rs 31.6 lakh was paid as ex gratia to the relatives and dependents of the policemen and civilians killed in Naxalite-related incidents in the state during 2010-11 (till February).

Naxalites have made their presence felt in 33 districts of the state. Six of them have been identified as the worst hit. Sources said the Bihar government had submitted a proposal for inclusion of four districts, including Lakhisarai, Munger, Buxar and Sheikhpura, under the SRE scheme in 2010. The Centre, however, decided to include Munger only.