Free private education for surrendered Maoists, children

Ranchi, Jul 25: To take minor away from the Maoist way,

government has decided to provide conditional free

in private institutions to

, who surrender, and to their children in addition to the existing surrender policy.

Hitherto, education had been provided to them only in government institutions, Cabinet Secretary NN Pandey said. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Arjun Munda yesterday.

The latest addition in the state's surrender policy for the rebels would enable males education up to the age of 24 or up to graduation. For females, it would be till the age 24 or till graduation or till their marriage, Pandey said.

The policy, however, is extended to only such private institutions having monthly tuition fee not more than Rs 1,000, he added. Several Maoists have surrendered ever since the state police launched the 'Operation Nai Disha' in 2010, providing benefits underlined in the state’s surrender policy.

As per the surrender policy, the Maoists who surrender would get Rs 50,000 immediately, besides benefits like a plot, healthcare, education for their children in government institutions and varying money on weapons they bring along.

PTI