WB sends fresh proposal for Central forces for panchayat polls

As per the suggestion of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, West Bengal government today sent a fresh proposal to the Centre seeking 300 companies of paramilitary forces for deployment during the panchayat elections beginning from July 2 in the state.
Days after the Centre rejected West Bengal government's request for 300 companies of paramilitary forces, the Union Home Minister suggested that the state government can send a fresh proposal to the Centre.
Shinde had said that the Home Ministry would consider the state's plea "if it approaches with a fresh proposal."
"Fresh proposal has been sent to the Union Home Ministry for 300 companies of paramilitary forces today," state's Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra said.

Asked for his comment on a report today that the Union Home Ministry had rejected the state government's demand for paramilitary forces for deployment during panchayat elections on the ground that the Centre does not provide such forces in any local body elections, Mitra said he had no idea about any such decision.
To another question, the Chief Secretary said that the state government had yet to receive any response from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Punjab governments for sending their armed forces for manning panchayat polls in West Bengal.
"We have given reminders to these three states," he added.
Asked if the state Governor was mediating in the matter of getting Central forces for panchayat polls, Mitra said "I have no knowledge.