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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated,...

Gadchiroli SP declares Maoist menace ‘almost over’

Mumbai: In a resounding statement signalling a historic shift, Gadchiroli Superintendent of Police (SP) Neelotpal has declared the district, once the dark heart of the ‘Red Corridor,’ is on the verge of becoming completely free of the Naxal menace. The SP expressed absolute confidence in the complete eradication of the banned CPI (Maoist) presence, noting that the remaining cadres have dwindled to a mere handful. “There has been a sea change in the situation,” SP Neelotpal stated, highlighting the dramatic turnaround. He revealed that from approximately 100 Maoist cadres on record in January 2024, the number has plummeted to barely 10 individuals whose movements are now confined to a very small pocket of the Bhamragad sub-division in South Gadchiroli, near the Chhattisgarh border. “North Gadchiroli is now free of Maoism. The Maoists have to surrender and join the mainstream or face police action... there is no other option.” The SP attributes this success to a meticulously executed multi-pronged strategy encompassing intensified anti-Maoist operations, a robust Civic Action Programme, and the effective utilisation of Maharashtra’s attractive surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. The Gadchiroli Police, especially the elite C-60 commandos, have achieved significant operational milestones. In the last three years alone, they have neutralised 43 hardcore Maoists and achieved a 100 per cent success rate in operations without police casualties for nearly five years. SP Neelotpal highlighted that the security forces have aggressively moved to close the “security vacuum,” which was once an estimated 3,000 square kilometres of unpoliced territory used by Maoists for training and transit. The establishment of eight new police camps/Forward Operating Bases (FoBs) since January 2023, including in the remote Abujhmad foothills, has been crucial in securing these areas permanently. Winning Hearts, Minds The Civic Action Programme has been deemed a “game changer” by the SP. Through schemes like ‘Police Dadalora Khidaki’ and ‘Project Udaan’, the police have transformed remote outposts into service delivery centres, providing essential government services and employment opportunities. This sustained outreach has successfully countered Maoist propaganda and, most critically, resulted in zero Maoist recruitment from Gadchiroli for the last few years. Surrender Wave The state’s progressive rehabilitation policy has seen a massive influx of surrenders. “One sentiment is common among all the surrendered cadres: that the movement has ended, it has lost public support, and without public support, no movement can sustain,” the SP noted. The surrender of key figures, notably that of Mallojula Venugopal Rao alias ‘Bhupathi,’ a CPI (Maoist) Politburo member, and his wife Sangeeta, was a “landmark development” that triggered a surrender wave. Since June 2024, over 126 Maoists have surrendered. The rehabilitation program offers land, housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and employment. Surrendered cadres are receiving skill training and are successfully transitioning into normal life, with around 70 already employed in the local Lloyds plant. A District Reborn The transformation of Gadchiroli is now moving beyond security concerns. With the decline of extremism, the district is rapidly moving towards development and normalcy. The implementation of development schemes, round-the-clock electricity, water supply, mobile towers, and new infrastructure like roads and bridges is being given top priority. He concludes that the police’s focus is now shifting from an anti-Maoist offensive to routine law-and-order policing, addressing new challenges like industrialisation, theft, and traffic management. With the Maoist movement in “complete disarray” and major strongholds like the Maharashtra-Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh (MMC) Special Zone collapsing, the SP is highly optimistic. Gadchiroli is not just getting rid of the Naxal menace; it is embracing its future as a developing, peaceful district, well on track to meet the central government’s goal of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026.

Spend vs Save: How Much?

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Managing your monthly income - whether from a salary, business, or professional earnings - can often feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be. A simple and effective approach is to divide your income into three equal parts, ensuring that you cover essentials, manage liabilities, and build wealth for the future.


The 3-Bucket Formula

For ease of understanding, consider splitting your monthly income into three buckets of 1/3rd each:


1. Monthly Expenses (1/3rd)

This includes all your routine and household expenses - groceries, utilities, rent, lifestyle spends, and even luxury indulgences. The key is to consciously restrict this to one-third of your income. Living within this limit ensures you have enough left for other priorities.


2. Loan Repayments & EMIs (1/3rd)

The second bucket goes towards repaying existing loans - home loans, vehicle EMIs, credit card dues, etc. This helps maintain a healthy debt-to-income ratio and prevents financial stress. Ideally, this too should not exceed one-third of your income.


3. Investing for Long-Term Goals (1/3rd)

This is the most crucial bucket. Unlike savings, investing involves growing your money to meet future goals like children’s education, marriage, buying a home, that dream vacation, dream car, or building a retirement corpus. The magic of compounding works best when you consistently invest a portion of your income with a proper asset allocation, majorly into inflation-beating assets like stocks, equity mutual funds, and gold.


What If My Loan Repayments Exceed 1/3rd?

If EMIs are eating up more than a third of your income, you are likely over-leveraged. It indicates excessive borrowing relative to your earnings. While you can’t undo past commitments immediately, as your income grows, focus on increasing your investment allocation. Prioritize clearing high-interest debts and avoid further borrowing unless necessary.


Bonus Tip

If you’re fortunate enough to have no loans, it’s an excellent opportunity to divert even 50% or more of your income towards investments. This accelerates wealth creation and ensures financial freedom much sooner. However, as a thumb rule and bare minimum, you can simply ensure that not more than 70 per cent of your in-hand monthly income goes towards expenses + loans and EMIs and you are saving at least 30 per cent for your long-term goals. 


The Bottom Line

Discipline is the foundation of sound financial planning. By maintaining the above rules for expenses, EMIs, and investments, you create a balanced approach that secures your present needs while safeguarding your future. Remember, the goal is not just to earn but to create wealth over time that matches your standard of living and helps you achieve your financial goals.


(The author is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor.

Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

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