Govt lures Maoists to surrender by offering substantial cash

In an effort to encourage Maoists to lay down arms, the Centre has substantially hiked the money given to a surrendered cadre and also for weapons deposited.
The decision has been taken after the government failed to bring the Maoists to the negotiating table with the offer of talks and abjuring violence.
While an immediate grant of Rs 2.5 lakh will be given to senior Maoist leaders like politburo and central committee members, middle-level functionaries like area or sub-zonal commanders will get Rs 1.5 lakh for surrender.
The money will be deposited in a bank account and can be withdrawn by the surrendered Naxal after completion of three years.

Those eligible for the new surrender and rehabilitation policy will be put in a rehabilitation camp and given training on jobs oriented courses. A monthly stipend of Rs 4,000 will also given to the surrendered Maoists for three years.
Under the erstwhile surrender and rehabilitation policies, Rs 1.5 lakh was given to each surrendered Naxal and a monthly stipend ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500.
Under the new policy, a Maoist surrendering with weapons will get an additional incentive of up to Rs 35,000 depending upon the weapon.
The highest Rs 35,000 will be given upon depositing a light machine gun (LMG) or sniper rifle while an AK-47/56 will fetch Rs 25,000, and Rs 10,000 for a pistol or revolver.