The Orissa government plans to offer incentives to motivate officials reluctant to work in naxal areas. Though the government is yet to work out the package details, chief secretary T K Mishra said government employees posted in the naxal belt deserve incentives in line with the police. Seventeen of the 30 districts in Orissa are naxal-hit. The situation is precarious in southern Orissa where many government posts are lying vacant.
Koraput district, for instance, has only 53 MBBS doctors against the requirement of 109. “Doctors with Ayurvedic and Homeopathic degrees are handling work in most rural hospitals,” said chief district medical officer Rabi Narayan Das.
“Fear of naxal attack is preventing forest officials from taking up afforestation work in their areas,” said Antaryami Pradhan, a forest ranger. Sources said the policy would offer incentives like transfer on request, posting at places of choice after three years of service in disturbed areas, and insurance cover. Steps would be taken to ensure that employees are provided basic facilities like official accommodation.
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