Odisha revises Maoist surrender, rehabilitation policy; enhances financial aid

To eliminate leftist extremism in the state, the Odisha Government has introduced a revised Maoist surrender and rehabilitation policy by increasing financial assistance, rewards for surrendered firearms and others.

“The objective of the surrender and rehabilitation policy is to contain and eliminate left extremism in the State by removing hardcore LWE cadres. The policy also aims to ensure that surrendered Naxalites do not return to extremism by providing them with gainful employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” Odisha Home Ministry said in a notification.

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According to the notification published on Thursday, November 27, 2025, the surrendered staff will be divided into two categories, A and B categories. High-level cadres such as Central committee secretaries, Central military commission chairmen, politburo members, Central committee members, State committee members or those of equivalent rank, special district committee members and district committee members fall under category A.

Similarly, lower-ranking cadres, which include division committee secretaries, military platoon commanders, division committee members, field committee secretaries and field committee members, are part of category B.

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As per the revised scheme, which is the new notification, financial assistance has been increased to ₹ 5 lakh from the previous ceiling of ₹ 2.5 lakh for category A. An assistance of ₹ 2.5 lakh will be provided to category B posts. It was stated that the rewards given for delivered weapons were also significantly increased.

If the Maoist surrenders with working weapons, live ammunition and explosives, he will be eligible for increased financial assistance. Light machine gun (LMG), AK-47 rifle (₹ 3.3 lakh from previous ₹ 10,000), SLR/Insas rifle (₹ 1.65 lakh from previous ₹ 10,000) and .303 rifle (₹ 82,500 from previous ₹ 5,000) in case of surrender 4.95 lakh will benefit from the assistance.

Additional lump sum of ₹ 10 lakh will be given to active surrendered Naxalites carrying rewards of ₹ 5 lakh or more. “This amount will be deposited as a fixed deposit in any bank by the district SP on behalf of the surrendered naxalite and the amount of interest received thereon will be given to them,” the revised policy said.

“After a period of three years from the date of fixed deposit, this amount will be given in lump sum to the surrendered naxalite, subject to the satisfactory conduct and conduct of the surrendered naxalite, to be decided by the Surrender and Rehabilitation Committee on the recommendation of SP district,” he added.