Modernization of Police Forces: Ministry of Home Affairs releases supporting data
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New Delhi, Feb 11: In the recent release of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has been stated that for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), namely, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and National Security Guards (NSG), the Central govt has been implementing Modernization Plan–III since 2018 with the total outlay of Rs.1053 crore.
According to the ministry, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects as per the seventh Schedule of the Constitution. However, the efforts of states for equipping and modernizing of their police forces has been supplemented by the Central govt through the scheme of 'Assistance to States for Modernization of Police (ASMP)', which is the former scheme of Modernization of Police Forces(MPF).
Based on the releases data, it has been confirmed that all the state govts, including the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, have been availing funds under ASMP scheme. The amounts released to the Government of Uttar Pradesh are Rs 118.67 crore and 64.81 crore against the allocations of Rs 68.39 crore and Rs 63.19 crore during the years 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively. It also includes incentives for implementation of police reforms of Rs 7.69 crore and better performance incentives of Rs.38.26 crore during the year 2018-19.
Under the scheme, the State Govts are provided central assistance for acquisition of latest weaponry, training gadgets, advanced communication and forensic equipment, cyber policing equipment and others. Further, ‘construction’ and ‘purchase of operational vehicles’ are permitted in the insurgency affected north-eastern States and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. As such, under the scheme financial assistance is provided for acquisition of infrastructure and equipment, including training equipment, which enhances capabilities and efficiency of the police forces.
Under ASMP scheme, the States are grouped into two categories, namely Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’ for the purpose of funding. Category ‘A’ States, namely, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and 8 North Eastern States including Sikkim, are eligible to receive financial assistance on 90:10; Centre: State sharing basis. The remaining States are in Category ‘B’ and eligible for financial assistance on 60:40, Centre: State sharing basis.
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Modernization of the Forces is a continuous process. A modernization Plan III with total outlay of Rs. 282.47 crore has been approved for BSF, in order to equip BSF with modern state-of-art technology. Further, various type of latest equipments such as UAVs, HHTIs, bullet proof jackets, bullet proof vehicles, sniper rifles and other arms and ammunition have been authorized to BSF.
As per the information provided by BSF, the dependents of BSF Jawans are rehabilitated by providing them compassionate appointment in BSF as per DoPT guidelines. They are invariably trained initially to make them suitable for compassionate appointment. Further, those who are not found suitable for compassionate appointment are offered employment in the Primary and Play Schools, Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar, Welfare Canteen and similar other places on a case to case to basis.