Maoists receiving funds from abroad: Govt

R P N Singh noted that a study by Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses has estimated the annual collection by the CPI-Maoist at Rs 140 crore.

The government informed the Rajya Sabha Wednesday that Maoists were clandestinely getting funds from foreign countries and also through extortion of corporate groups and “levy” on mining.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home R P N Singh noted that a study by Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses has estimated the annual collection by the CPI-Maoist at Rs 140 crore.

The major sources of funds for the Maoists are extortion from contractors of tendu patta (used to manufacture bidis), infrastructure and development work contractors, “levy” from businessmen and corporate houses, besides robbing banks and public and private properties to augment their finances.

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“Further, the possibility of certain front organisations of the CPI-Maoist party clandestinely getting foreign funds cannot be ruled out,” he said, adding, Naxals “extort considerable ‘levy’ from various illegal mining mafia groups.”

Caught in din, rajya sabha adjourned

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha remained disrupted Wednesday and was adjourned for the day soon after the interim railway budget was tabled in the House amid din over Telengana and other myriad issues. The Upper House was adjourned as MPs waving ‘Save Andhra Pradesh’ and ‘Save Tamil fishermen’ placards trooped in front of the Chair. There were two adjournments earlier in the day. Deputy chairman P J Kurien said that even though there was a lot of business to be transacted, “lack of consensus” was forcing him to announce an adjournment.

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