Modernisation blues for police
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 16 2015 -
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju had on April 13 stated that the Central Government is not fully satisfied with modernisation process of police forces embarked on by various State Governments.
He said the Union Government is having consultations with State Governments on how to improve the process.
Against this backdrop, it is worth mentioning that the Centre has already approved for a period of five years from 2012-23 to 1016-17 with an allocation of Rs 8628.43 crore under the ‘Non-Plan’ and Rs 3750.87 crore under ‘Plan’ during the XII Five Years Plan for Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF Schemes) and detailed guidelines had been issued to State Governments in February 2013.
However, it has been reported that budgetary allocation of MPF Scheme for the year 2015-16 has not been communicated by Union Ministry of Finance as yet though it has been expected that Rs 595 crore (Non-Plan) will be allotted.
Among the States classified into A Category for the purpose of funding under MPF include Jammu & Kashmir and all the Northeastern States including Manipur.
Rs 20.64 crore had been released to Manipur in 2013-14.
While the Centre has been very clear that the utilization certificate furnished by the States will form the basis for further release of funds, it has not been clear how the Northeastern States have actually utilized the funds received so far.
Perhaps, the dismay expressed by Kiren Rijiju has much more to do with the way how the States have utilized the money meant for MPF Scheme.
However, the Minister of State for Home was at least clear on the imperative of involving people's participation and cooperation while taking into consideration safety of citizens.
For a State like Manipur embroiled in all forms of violence so far, the task of bringing security to the citizens hinges on translating MPF Scheme into people friendly schemes rather than the State government enduring headache over submission of utilization certificates.
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