Odisha Doubles Payouts to Lure Maoists Back to Mainstream

New Delhi, November 28, 2025: The Odisha government has significantly revised its surrender and rehabilitation policy for Left Wing Extremists (LWE), effectively doubling the financial payouts to encourage Maoists to abandon violence and join the national mainstream. This major policy shift is part of the state’s multi-pronged strategy to eradicate LWE, offering not just cash incentives but a comprehensive package for a new life.

Enhanced Financial Assistance

The new scheme introduces a tiered system for financial assistance based on the rank of the surrendering cadre, substantially increasing the amounts:

• Category A (High-Ranking Cadres): Senior members, including Central Committee and Politburo members, will now receive up to ₹5 lakh in direct financial assistance, an increase from the previous ceiling of ₹2.5 lakh.
• Category B (Middle and Lower-Ranking Cadres): Members such as Divisional Committee members and Area Committee Secretaries will receive ₹2.5 lakh.

For top leaders with government-declared rewards of ₹5 lakh or more, the new policy offers a huge incentive of an additional lump sum of ₹10 lakh upon surrender. This amount is deposited as a three-year fixed deposit, to be released subject to their satisfactory conduct.

Rewarding Surrendered Weapons

In a move to take weapons out of circulation, the government has also drastically increased the rewards for surrendering firearms and explosives. For instance, the incentive for giving up an AK-47 rifle has been substantially increased to ₹3.3 lakh (from an earlier ₹10,000), while a Light Machine Gun (LMG) fetches a reward of ₹4.95 lakh.

Beyond the basic financial assistance, all surrendering individuals, even those without weapons, will receive an immediate encouragement grant.

A Comprehensive Rehabilitation Package

Recognizing that financial aid alone is not enough, the revised policy outlines a holistic rehabilitation package designed to ensure long-term stability:

• Livelihood Support: Surrendered cadres will receive a monthly stipend of ₹10,000 for up to 36 months. This benefit will continue until they secure government employment or a gainful self-employment opportunity.
• Skill Development: Free enrollment in short-term training programs and vocational education in ITIs or polytechnics will be provided to help them acquire marketable skills.
• Housing and Welfare: The package includes housing support under schemes like the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana, a one-time marriage incentive of ₹25,000, and priority access to healthcare and subsidized rations through government welfare schemes.
• Legal Provisions: While trials for heinous crimes will continue, the government may consider withdrawing prosecution or permitting plea bargaining for minor offenses, offering a path for a complete return to normalcy.

The Objective: Peace and Development

The primary goal of this enhanced policy is to weaken the Maoist movement by encouraging active members to renounce violence. State officials view this as one of the best surrender policies in the country, aligning with the Union Home Ministry’s revised guidelines. With around 80 to 85 Maoist operatives currently estimated to be active in the state, the government hopes this compelling package will accelerate surrenders, leading to lasting peace and allowing for unhindered development in the state’s remote, LWE-affected districts.