Modi Govt paves way for modernising policing, approves Rs 25k crore fund

New Delhi : The Narendra Modi government has paved the way of much awaited police modernisation in the country as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given its approval to police modernisation fund of Rs 25,060 core. Out of this, the police forces of Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern States and left wing extremism affected States will be modernised with Rs 11000 crore in next three years.

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for implementation of umbrella scheme of "Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)" for years 2017-18 to 2019-20.

Addressing a press conference here, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today one very important decision has been taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

Considering the importance of the internal security, the CCS has approved a huge amount under an umbrella scheme of police modernisation.

"Police modernisation fund has been earmarked for the year 2017-18 , 2018-19, 2019-20. The financial outlay for the scheme over the three year's period is Rs.25,060 crore, out of which the Central Government share is approximately 80 percent, i.e. Rs.18,636 crore and the States' share is approximately 20 percent, i.e. Rs.6,424 crore."

He also informed that special provision has been made under the Scheme for internal security, law and order, women security, availability of modern weapons, mobility of police forces, logistics support, hiring of helicopters, upgradation of police wireless, National Satellite Network, CCTNS project, E-prison project etcetera,.

Rajnath also informed that under the umbrella scheme, central budget outlay of Rs.10,132 crore has been earmarked for internal security related expenditure for Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States and left wing extremism (LWE) affected States. Rs. 1164 crore will be the share of the states.

"Implementation of this scheme would bolster the Government's ability to address challenges faced in different theatres such as areas affected by LWE, Jammu and Kashmir and North East effectively and undertake development interventions which will catalyze in improving the quality of life in these areas and help combat these challenges effectively at the same time," the Home Minister said.

He further informed that scheme of Special Central Assistance (SCA) for 35 worst LWE affected districts has been introduced with an outlay of Rs.3,000 crore to tackle the issue of underdevelopment in these district.

An outlay of Rs.100 crore has been earmarked in the North Eastern States for police infrastructure upgradation, training institutes, investigation facilities etcetera, he added.

The umbrella scheme will provide assistance to States for upgradation of police infrastructure, forensic science laboratories, institutions and the equipment available with them to plug critical gaps in the criminal justice system.

Police Stations will be integrated to set up a national data base of crime and criminals' records. It will be linked with other pillars of criminal justice system such as 'prisons, forensic science laboratories and prosecution offices.

The umbrella scheme also provides for setting up of a State-of Art forensic science laboratory in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh and upgradation of Sardar Patel Global Centre for Security, Counter Terrorism and Anti Insurgency in Jaipur and Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhi Nagar.