The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has been implementing the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme since 1995 to provide financial support to states in the North Eastern Region (NER) that are significantly affected by insurgency. This scheme aims to reimburse states for expenses incurred in maintaining law and order and combating insurgency, ensuring that states have the necessary resources to address security challenges.
Scope and Coverage
The SRE scheme is currently implemented in all North Eastern States, except Mizoram and Sikkim. This reflects the specific security challenges faced by these states. The scheme covers a wide range of security-related expenditures, which are shared between the Central Government and the respective State Governments in a 90:10 ratio.
Expenditure Areas Covered
The SRE scheme provides reimbursement for the following types of expenditures:
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Special Training: Costs associated with special training for State Police and Prison Administration personnel in counter-insurgency operations.
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India Reserve Battalions: Expenses related to raising India Reserve Battalions.
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Civil Works: Costs for necessary repairs and infrastructure support for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
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Logistics: Expenses for logistics provided to the CAPFs and the Army deployed in the state.
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Ex-Gratia Relief: Payment of ex-gratia grants and gratuitous relief to victims of extremist violence.
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Transportation: Costs for transporting arrested militants to jails outside the state or bringing them to the state by special flights.
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Honorarium: Payments to Village Guards, Village Defence Committees, Village Defence Force, Special Police Officers (SPOs), and Home Guards deployed for security purposes.
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NSA Detenue: Expenses related to National Security Act (NSA) detainees.
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Surrendered Insurgents: Costs for rehabilitation of surrendered insurgents.
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Maintenance of Camps: Expenses for maintaining designated camps set up for groups with whom the government has signed a Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement.
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Training of SoO Cadres: Costs for training cadres under Suspension of Operation agreements.
Specific Reimbursement Details
The scheme also specifies reimbursement rates for certain items:
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POL (Petrol, Oil, and Lubricants): 75% of the expenditure incurred by State Police is reimbursed by the Central Government.
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Ex-Gratia Payments to CAPF Personnel: 100% of ex-gratia payments for death or permanent incapacitation of CAPF personnel is covered by the Central Government.
Financial Details
The following table shows the details of reimbursement made to North Eastern States under the SRE scheme since the financial year 2014-15 (in Rs. crore):
| Funds Released | Assam | Nagaland | Manipur | Tripura | Meghalaya | Arunachal Pradesh | Total |
| 2014-15 | 106.69 | 57.88 | 37.76 | 27.23 | 12.61 | 18.83 | 261.00 |
| 2015-16 | 140.07 | 67.61 | 45.78 | 12.98 | 12.63 | 0.93 | 280.00 |
| 2016-17 | 148.70 | 61.48 | 31.86 | 36.62 | 9.19 | 12.15 | 300.00 |
| 2017-18 | 287.74 | 13.16 | 34.02 | 21.82 | 16.19 | 32.07 | 405.00 |
| 2018-19 | 137.05 | 42.34 | 32.35 | 9.05 | 11.74 | 17.48 | 250.00 |
| 2019-20 | 210.86 | 12.82 | 34.26 | 39.22 | 9.69 | 13.15 | 320.00 |
| 2020-21 | 65.43 | 41.82 | 39.50 | 8.70 | 4.88 | 24.92 | 185.25 |
| 2021-22 | 251.07 | 58.79 | 74.66 | 32.20 | 14.40 | 12.60 | 443.72 |
| 2022-23 | 109.16 | 22.82 | 23.65 | 18.85 | 6.45 | 100.57 | 281.50 |
| 2023-24 | 162.65 | 18.33 | 83.02 | 20.90 | 7.26 | 7.84 | 300.00 |
(upto 31.12.2023)
Monitoring Mechanism
The implementation of the SRE scheme is monitored by the Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). States and UTs receiving assistance are required to submit annual performance reports in a format prescribed by the NCB.
Conclusion
The Reimbursement of Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme is a crucial financial mechanism that supports the efforts of North Eastern States in combating insurgency and maintaining law and order. By reimbursing states for a significant portion of their security-related expenses, the scheme enables them to effectively address the complex security challenges in the region, thus contributing to overall peace and stability.