The Union Cabinet has recently approved a Rs.25,000-crore internal security scheme.
What are the highlights of the scheme?
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave its approval for the implementation of the umbrella scheme, Modernisation of Police Forces.
The MPF scheme will be implemented between 2017 and 2020.
Out of the total financial outlay, the Central government’s share will be about 75% and the rest will be that of the states.
The noteworthy provisions in the scheme cover the following diversified areas:
Internal security.
Law and order.
Women’s security.
Availability of modern weapons.
Mobility of police forces.
Logistical support.
Hiring of helicopters.
Upgradation of wireless, satellite communications for police.
Crime and criminal tracking network and systems (cctns)
e-prisons.
The scheme also earmarks a specific sum for internal security-related expenditure for J&K, north-eastern states and states affected by Left-Wing Extremism.
The government’s grant for police modernisation would be followed by steps to grant the force autonomy from political masters.
Police stations would be integrated to set up a national database of crime and criminal records which will be linked with other criminal justice system machineries.
Besides, it also provides for:
setting up a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory in Amravat
upgradation of the i) Sardar Patel Global Centre for Security, ii)Counter Terrorism and Anti-Insurgency in Jaipur, iii)Gujarat Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar.
What are the objectives?
Following the 14th FC's recommendations, the Centre delinked from its support various centrally sponsored schemes which included modernisation of police.
The state governments showed little interest to make any investments, and thus police modernisation witnessed a setback leading to increased security challenges.
The prime objective of the new scheme is thus to strengthen the law and order mechanism and mordernise the police forces.
The new initiatives aim at providing assistance to States for upgradation of police infrastructure, forensic science laboratories, institutions, etc.
It provides for the objective of a SMART Police who are expected to be strict, sensitive, modern, mobile, alert, accountable, reliable, responsible, tech-savvy and trained.
Very importantly, the scheme aims at granting police, autonomy from political masters.
This will help them render their service as 'People’s Police' rather than as present 'Ruler’s Police'.
The scheme can thus go a long way in ensuring a solid foundation of good law and order promoted by a structured and accountable police machinery.
