Budget allocates 20 per cent more funds to MHA to fight LWE 

Subhashis Mittra

With eyes firmly fixed on the 31 March 2026 deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) from the country, the Centre has earmarked Rs 3,610.80 crore in the Union Budget for 2026-27—20 per cent more than last fiscal year—to meet security and infrastructure expenses of the ministry of home affairs for its strategy to counter Naxalism.

As per the Budget document, Rs 3,610.80 crore has been allocated for Security Related Expenditure (SRE) and the Special Infrastructure Scheme for LWE-affected areas in 2026-27, compared to the revised estimate of Rs 3,006.56 crore in the last fiscal. This includes provision for Schemes of Security Related Expenditure, Special Infrastructure Scheme and Special Central Assistance to 35 worst affected districts in the LWE affected areas, assistance to central agencies for LWE management, civic action programmes and media plan activities in various states.

Naxal violence, that claimed around 17,000 lives so far, has declined by 53 per cent during 2014-24 compared to 2004-14, thanks to regular security operations alongside development initiatives to ensure lasting peace.

The funds have been made available to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) under the head ‘Transfers to States/UTs’ as part of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces. Allocation for the modernisation of police forces has been raised by nearly 24 per cent to Rs 4,061.34 crore in 2026-27 from the revised estimate of Rs 3,279.53 crore last year. The Budget has also