Bhubaneswar: State govt on Tuesday said that Maoists whose operations are not confined to the state will not be eligible for benefits under its surrender and rehabilitation policy. However, Odia Maoists will be granted benefits even if they are active outside Odisha, according to a home department notification.A revised policy, notified on Nov 27, 2025, had earlier not defined the eligibility criteria. The policy, which offered an attractive reward package 10% higher than Chhattisgarh’s, only had a broader mention highlighting that the scheme was applicable to Maoists surrendering with or without firearms.In the absence of clear eligibility guidelines, police feared that Odia Maoists not active in Odisha might exploit the scheme to claim the lucrative rewards. “The revised policy is more specific about eligibility,” a senior police officer said.Under the new rules, Maoists of any state will be eligible for the surrender policy if they are active in Odisha. Odia natives engaged in Maoist activities outside the state can also surrender under the scheme, provided they are certified by the SP concerned. “In such cases, a no-objection certificate must be obtained from the state where the Maoist was active, confirming that rehabilitation benefits have not already been extended there,” the notification said.
