The Odisha police have attributed a significant mass surrender of Maoist cadres this week directly to the state government's recently enhanced financial incentives, which now strategically outbid neighboring Chhattisgarh. On Tuesday, a total of 22 Maoists laid down their arms, a move officials say was motivated by the more lucrative surrender and rehabilitation package announced in late November.
Strategic Financial Incentives: The Revised Package
The key driver behind this development is a flat 10% increase in bounty amounts across all ranks, coupled with a substantial additional lump sum. The revised policy, officially notified on November 27, introduces an extra Rs 10 lakh for cadres carrying rewards of Rs 5 lakh or more. This dual benefit makes Odisha's cumulative package nearly 20% more attractive than what is available in Chhattisgarh.
To communicate this advantage directly to the insurgents, authorities embarked on an information campaign. Posters advertising the enhanced rewards were pasted across jungles in nine Maoist-affected districts: Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Balangir, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Rayagada, and Boudh. Significantly, six of these districts share a border with Chhattisgarh, the source state for an estimated 95% of Odisha's active Maoist cadre.
Top-Tier Payouts and Historical Context
The revised reward structure represents a dramatic escalation. For a Central Committee (CC) member—the apex rank in the Maoist hierarchy—the total payout in Odisha now stands at an enticing Rs 1.20 crore (Rs 1.1 crore base bounty plus Rs 10 lakh extra). In contrast, Chhattisgarh offers Rs 1 crore for the same rank. This revision marks an almost four-to-five fold increase compared to Odisha's last policy update in 2014.
Odisha's Director General of Police, Y B Khurania, stated the clear objective is to persuade Maoists, primarily from Chhattisgarh, to surrender within Odisha's jurisdiction. "We urge Maoists to shun violence and benefit from Odisha's surrender and rehabilitation policy," he emphasized. Additional Director General (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda added that even civilians providing information leading to arrests are eligible for rewards.
Beyond Cash: Holistic Rehabilitation
The government's strategy extends beyond immediate financial gain. The comprehensive rehabilitation package includes:
- Housing support under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana.
- Health cards for medical coverage.
- Free ration supplies via the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
A notable provision ensures that married couples surrendering together are treated as separate units, allowing both individuals to receive the full suite of benefits.
A Surge Amidst a Slowing Trend
While historical data shows that at least 610 Maoists surrendered in Odisha between 2006 and December 2025, the pace had notably slackened in recent times. The year 2024 saw only 24 surrenders, with 29 recorded so far in 2025. Therefore, Tuesday's single-day event involving 22 cadres is seen as a significant and immediate validation of the new policy's effectiveness.
The Odisha government's calibrated move to offer a financially superior package appears to be creating a decisive pull factor, aiming to weaken the Maoist structure by incentivizing defections at a scale that directly impacts the insurgency's manpower and morale.
