With RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav threating a major backlash in Bihar, New Delhi is taking no chances. By this afternoon, 15 companies of paramilitary forces -- 16,000 personnel in all -- had been sent.

Union Home Minister L K Advani today held a meeting with Home Secretary B P Singh and senior officials to decide on the appointment of the Governor's advisors. Advani has reportedly decided that Bhandari needs four advisors.

(Meanwhile, Bhandari too got into the act and sacked State Chief Secretary S S Biswas and DGP K A Jacob. The duo have been replaced by IAS officer V S Dubey and another IAS officer T P Sinha as chief secretary and DGP respectively.)

According to a late night UNI report, three advisors had been named: T C A Ramanujam, D B Patankar -- both retired IAS officers -- and former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Mahendra Singh. Thethree are scheduled to arrive in Patnaby a special BSF helicopter.

However, Home Ministry sources said the final decision on the advisors and their role would be taken after clearance from the Prime Minister.

At today's meeting, Ved Marwah, former advisor to the J&K Governor, was being considered for the post of advisor to the Goa Governor. Among the names discussed for Bihar were those of K P S Gill, former Punjab police chief, and two retired IAS officers, R Vasudevan and N R Ranganathan.

Speaking to reporters, Advani said the Centre's priority in Bihar was to ``tone up and cleanse'' the administration, speed up developmental activities and promote social harmony. ``While some new top-level appointments have already been made, certain key changes are on the anvil to streamline the administrative set-up,'' he said. Asked if he did not fear a major law and order problem in Bihar, the Home Minister chose not to give a direct reply. ``Since it (imposition of President's rule) is a major decision, someprotest action is expected,'' was all he said.

As it is, some 30 companies of CRPF are already stationed in Bihar. The addition of 15 more companies, mainly of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), this afternoon makes Bihar one of the most ``policed states'' in the country, said a senior North Block official.

Earlier, Bhandari also held discussions with Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha on Bihar's development needs.

Elaborating on his plans to provide total security, he said, ``Total security to the people will be my first priority... We should ensure safe movement of women in their localities and children reaching their schools safely.''

He asked the officials to perform to the best of their abilities to instil confidence in the people that ``there is a government worth the name in Bihar'' and take stern action against those trying to let loose the reign of terror.