West Bengal’s lucrative rehab package for Maoists

Following the Union home ministry’s draft rehabilitation policy for Maoist-hit states, the West Bengal government has prepared a rehabilitation package for rebels who would surrender voluntarily.

A state home department official said, “A special committee headed by a district magistrate and a superintendent of police will verify the claims of persons who surrender as Maoists.”

The next step will be quick disposal of cases against them through fast-track courts. Surrendered Maoists will go through counselling and vocational training by an NGO nominated by the state government.

They will then be provided  margin money up to Rs2 lakh and bank loans  up to Rs10 lakh to start businesses.

The state expects the package to work wonders, encouraging a number of Maoist guerrillas to opt for it.