New Delhi, Sep 7 - The government has offered surrendering Leftwing rebels a series of sops, including vocational training along with a monthly stipend of Rs.2,000 for up to three years and Rs.150,000 in fixed deposit.

Additional incentives up to Rs.25,000 for each surrendered weapon or ammunition has also been announced by the home ministry as part of its new surrender-cum-rehabilitation guidelines for Maoists finalised Aug 26.

'These guidelines are applicable to those Naxalites (Maoists) who surrender with or without arms and the eligibility for assistance under the scheme would be scrutinised by the screening cum rehabilitation committee constituted by the concerned state government,' a home ministry statement said Monday.

The surrender-and-rehabilitation guidelines for Maoists will apply to the hardcore, underground cadre, both with or without weapons, as well as to Dalam members. The overground supporters and sympathisers can avail of the benefits under the scheme 'only in exceptional cases'.

At the internal security conclave held last month, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, while interacting individually with chief ministers of states affected by Maoist violence, called upon them to frame an attractive surrender and rehabilitation policy, put in place an effective machinery for grievance redressal and take steps to stop the flow of funds and supply of arms and ammunition to the rebels.

The central funds for these states are made available under the scheme for Security Related Expenditure (SRE), special infrastructure and modernisation of police forces schemes.