(a) whether the Government proposes to establish engineering battalions to
construct roads in naxal strongholds;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
(c) the time by which a final decision is likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI R.P.N.SINGH)
(a) to (c): The Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected States are facing grave difficulties in execution of development works due to obstruction caused by the Maoists. Further, the Maoists also systematically target and destroy
Development infrastructure so that the people in their area of domination are marginalized and continue to remain in he thrall of their outdated ideology. In view of this, the Government of India has sanctioned 10 ‘Special India Reserve Battalions’ (SIRB) and approved conversion of 03 India Reserve Battalions (IRB) to Special India Reserve Battalions (SIRB). Each battalion will have a component of 02 Engineering and 05 Security Companies. The Engineering Coys will carry out development works including construction of rods in LWE affected areas and the security component of the battalion will provide security to the engineering component engaged in the execution of development works. The State-wise details of newly sanctioned SIRBs and converted SIRBs are as below:
Sr.No. State Newly sanctioned Conversion of already sanctioned SIRB IRBn. Into SIRB
1. Andhra Pradesh # 01
2. Bihar 02 #
3. Chhattisgarh 02 #
4. Jharkhand 01 01
5. Madhya Pradesh 01 #
6. Maharastra # 01
7. Odisha 03 #
8. West Bengal 01 #
Total 10 03