New Delhi, Aug 17 - Karnataka Monday sought funds from the central government to set up and run a commando training centre in the state to tackle threat from Maoists and terrorists and coastal security concerns.

'I must confess that the training facilities available at present are not up to the mark,' Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa told a meeting of chief ministers on internal security. The meet was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.

Yeddyurappa said, 'Police personnel of the coastal security units, anti-Naxal force, anti-terrorist cells and Quick Reaction Teams have to be constantly under training to remain fit and to upgrade their skills.'

Karnataka has a 320-km coastline on its west. Maoists are active in at least four of the state's 29 districts - Chickmagalur, Shimoga, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. There have been two terror attacks in Bangalore in December 2005 and July 2008.

Yeddyurappa wanted the central government to enlarge the scope of its Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF) scheme to fund police personnel. At present the scheme funds purchase of vehicles, equipment, buildings.

'The government of India has been consistently refusing to fund any police personnel under any of its schemes.