Cost of securing Ajmal Kasab runs up to Rs 27 crore

State govt is hoping Centre will waive bill for ITBP deployment

Even as Ajmal Kasab, setenced to death for 26/11, awaits response to his mercy petition, the state government has run up a whopping Rs 27-crore bill to secure Arthur Road Jail where the Pakistani terrorist is counting his days.

An officer of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) guarding the gunman in Mumbai said from New Delhi: "The cost of deployment at Arthur Road Jail had accumulated to Rs 27.32 crore on October 1, but there has been no disbursment. The (Union) Home Ministry will deal with the state, we are not involved in any direct communication."

The officer added: "There is no immediate plan to withdraw ITBP from Mumbai. Our men posted there are not facing any problems."

The state is hoping the Centre waives the bill. Principal Secretary (Home) Medha Gadgil said, "We have not received an updated bill from ITBP. We had earlier asked the Centre to waive the cost of ITBP deployment as security of Kasab is a national issue. However, we have not received word from the Centre."

The state government had received a rude shock in May when it was handed a bill of nearly Rs 11 crore by ITBP for deployment of around 200 commandos between March 28, 2009, and September 30, 2010.

Subsequently, the state wrote to the Centre that it would not foot the bill. State home department sources had then suggested silence on the issue was an indication the Centre would, in all probability, sort out the matter with ITBP.

ITBP sources said the Union home ministry could adjust the dues with money released to the state under different central schemes.

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