Karnataka seeks security expenditure to curb naxalism

Karnataka has urged the Centre to extend security related expenditure schemes to the state to effectively tackle the growing menace of naxalism.

"There are several schemes, which are available to the states declared as severely naxal-affected. Since Karnataka has not been categorised as such, we do not get any funds under security related expenditure. I urge the Centre to consider 13 naxal-affected districts in the state for such schemes," Karnataka chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said in his address at the meeting of chief ministers on internal security in New Delhi on Tuesday.

According to a press release from the chief minister's secretariat, Kumaraswamy urged the Centre to include the 13 districts also under the Backward Districts Initiative, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Prime Minister's Gram Sadak Yojana.

He emphasised the need to establish two Rapid Action Force battalions in North and Coastal Karnataka respectively to curb naxalism. Similarly, he urged the Centre to increase the strength of the railway police force.

"The state is willing to bear 50 per cent of the cost of this enhancement and the Indian Railways have to bear the balance expenditure. The Union ministry should finalise this proposal," the chief minister said.