The government is examining the Supreme Court's direction to the Chhattisgarh government to immediately cease and desist from using Special Police Officers, SPOs, against Naxalite activities in the state. In reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Home minister P Chidambaram said, the government is examining the matter in consultation with the Law Ministry. He informed the House that a direction has also been given by the Apex Court to the central government to cease and desist from using any of its funds in supporting directly or indirectly the recruitment of SPOs by the state governments for operation against naxalites. Mr Chidambaram however said, SPOs are engaged in nine states including Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, where they perform a very limited task.