Patna, March 15: The Centre has included seven more Naxalite-affected districts of the state in its security related expenditure scheme nearly a year-and-a-half after the Bihar government had sent the proposal.

After the inclusion of the seven new districts — Muzaffarpur, Sheohar, Vaishali, Begusarai, Khagaria, Banka and Lakhisarai — in the scheme, expenses incurred on Naxalite-related operations in 23 districts of the state would be reimbursed by the Centre.

Keeping with the Centre’s strategy on operations against rebels, the state government has approved the police headquarters’ proposal to create a post of additional superintendent of police (operation) in each of the new districts included in the scheme.

The state government issued a notification on Wednesday to create 35 posts, including seven additional superintendents of police (operation) from central security forces.

Earlier, Munger, Gaya, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Jamui, Nawada, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Patna, Nalanda, Kaimur, Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Arwal, West Champaran (Bettiah) and Bagaha (police district) were included in the scheme.

The Centre took more than a-year-and-a-half to put its seal on the Bihar government’s proposal for including the seven Naxalite-affected districts under the scheme.

Sources said the proposal was first submitted to the central government in February 2011. Then director-general of police Neel Mani had sent several reminders to the Union home ministry, requesting it to consider the proposal.

The Centre’s decision to bring the seven districts under the scheme gained momentum towards the end of 2012 after state police chief Abhayanand called on Union home secretary R.K. Singh in New Delhi.

He was in the national capital to attend a meeting on the Naxalite issue.

In 2010, the state government had proposed the inclusion of four districts — Lakhisarai, Munger, Buxar and Sheikhpura — under the central security scheme. But only Munger was inducted taking the number of Bihar districts covered under the scheme to 16 then.

On additional personnel for the seven new inducted districts, a senior home department officer said the state government issued a notification on March 13 for creating 35 posts in different ranks.

Apart from the seven posts of additional SPs (operation), the government has sanctioned 28 posts of sub-inspector, constable (bodyguards), driver (constable) and peon (constable).