Jamui/Bhagalpur, July 4: Levy has always been a preferred medium of the Maoists to generate income and the quest to make the outfit more organised and advanced, the rebels have now shifted their radar to the newly elected grassroots-level representatives of the panchayat samities to seek money.

Mafias dealing with forest products, businessmen and contractors are a passé and the Maoists have reportedly decided to implement levy on the mukhiyas (head of the panchayat samiti) and Rs 2.5 lakh annual levy from each mukhiya in the Naxalite-hit Jamui district has been fixed, according to sources.

According to intelligence sources, a high-level meeting of the Eastern Bihar and North Jharkhand Committee of the Maoists was held recently in a forest near Sikatiya Ashram. Prabeshda, the zonal commander of the organisation, headed the meet.

Top-ranking rebel leaders along with Maoists from Nepal and Bengal reportedly participated in the meeting. Another zonal commander, Chiragda has been assigned to collect the levy amount from Jamui, Pintuda for Jhajha and Simultalla, Sanjivda for Khaira and Birbalda for Lakshmipur and Belhar (Banka) areas.

“Our organisation has decided to collect levy from the mukhiyas, who enjoy a hefty percentage of the fund from the government-sponsored welfare projects,” said a source in the rebels’ camp.

The source also said that the organisation, through letter pads, would request the mukhiyas to pay the levy. After receiving the amount, the organisation would hand him/her a receipt of the money.

The collection process would start from Chakai block in Jamui soon. A mukhiya can also pay the money in instalments. Around 23 panchyats fall under Chakai block and the rebels are aiming for Rs 57.5 lakh annually as levy from just Chakai block.

Sources also said the system would be implemented in other eastern Bihar districts soon. Despite several attempts, most of the newly elected mukhiyas preferred to remain tight-lipped.

“I have heard about it, but until I get the letter, how can I confirm?” asked a mukhiya on condition of anonymity.

During the recently concluded panchayat polls, a Lakshmipur block mukhiya, who did not wished to be named, had paid Rs 10,000 to the organisation. “After wining the seat, I had to pay some amount to the rebels according to a previous agreement with them,” he admitted.

According to the intelligence sources, after special police officers (SPOs) were appointed, security measures were tightened and the police stations were equipped with manpower and equipment, the rebels are finding it extremely difficult to function in the area.

According to sources, during 2010-11 the SPOs were paid Rs 1,500 each from the government. But the remuneration has been increased to Rs 3,000 in 2011-12. “The promptness of the SPOs has further compounded to the problems of the rebels,” a source said.

Jamui superintendent of police R.N. Singh was unavailable for a comment but sources from his office have no such information about the levy on the mukhiyas by the rebels.