Centre sanctions ten IRBn for NE

NEW DELHI, April 23: In a bid to improve security scenario in the northeastern States, New Delhi has sanctioned ten India Reserve Battalions (IRBs) from March this year. Accordingly, two battalions each for Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura have been sanctioned.

Government sources said that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will reimburse 75 per cent of standard cost of raising the battalions and half the cost of infrastructure development in them. 

The sources said that the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has also approved the MHA's proposal for enhancement in overall cost from Rs 138.95 crore to Rs.212.85 crore for strengthening of police establishments, infrastructure development for creation of 11 new police stations and upgrading nine existing police stations in Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Meanwhile, a comprehensive review of the security related expenditure scheme for the north-eastern States was effective from this April.

Accordingly, wages for Home Guards have been hiked to Rs 6,000 per month from Rs 150 per day. Honorarium for Village Defence Guard (VDP) has been doubled to Rs 3,000 per month from Rs 1,500 per month. Maintenance expenses of designated camps for each cadre of SoO (Suspension of Operations) have been enhanced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.