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RAIPUR: In a major decision, Chhattisgarh government has decided to hike the allowances for police jawans including constable, assistant constables and secret troops posted in Naxalite-dominated areas of Bastar division, Gariyaband and Rajnandgaon.The move, which is expected to benefit nearly 22,000 police jawans, would result in an almost 58% hike in emoluments of assistant constables, who, after the revision, would get Rs 14,144 per month instead of Rs 8,990 earlier. In addition, they would be entitled to Rs 25 lakh insurance cover like other policemen. This would reportedly cost the exchequer an additional sum of Rs 121 crore annually.A decision to this effect was taken at the cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Raman Singh on Tuesday.He said Naxalism continues to be a major problem for state, specifically in the Bastar region. He said while 70% of Naxalism in country affected state, of this 90% is in Bastar division. He said those fighting Naxalites need to be provided monetary support and benefits.According to officials, as per the cabinet decision, ration allowances have also been increased from Rs 650 to Rs 2,650 for state police force deputed in Bastar. This is the first hike in ration allowances in the last nine years.Ration allowances have also been increased for STF from Rs 1,200 to 2,200. The cabinet has also decided to hike Naxalite areas allowances for all three categories. The allowance for personnel in most sensitive areas would be 50% of their basic salary; 35% for sensitive areas and 15% for the general affected areas. This amount will be applicable till 2018-19 and further decisions would be taken in this regard in a review meeting before March 31, 2019.The cabinet also approved 150 additional posts for Secret Troops. As of now there are 458 secret troops active in state. In addition, shoes worth Rs 2,000 and a backpack worth Rs 1,000 would be given to jawans and assistant constables in a year. The government has also decided to set up a 100-bed trauma centre in Jagdalpur with the help of police housing corporation for treatment of personnel injured in Naxalism violence.The centre would come up in a PPP model and probably start functioning within a year. The estimated cost of the centre would be Rs 12.50 crore.