Centre extends police modernisation scheme

• Union Government has approved the continuation of a police modernisation scheme for five years up to 2025-26 with a financial outlay of ₹26,275 crore.
• The scheme includes security-related expenditure in Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern States and Maoist-affected areas, for raising new battalions, developing high-tech forensic laboratories and other investigation tools.

Law and order

• In India, police and law and order come under the purview of state governments.
• Accordingly, each state has its own police force for maintaining law and order and investigating crimes.
• However, due to financial and other constraints, states have critical gaps in their policing infrastructure.

Improving police infrastructure

• CAG audits have found shortages in weaponry with state police forces.
• For example, Rajasthan and West Bengal had shortages of 75% and 71% respectively in required weaponry with the state police.
• The Bureau of Police Research and Development has also noted a 30.5% deficiency in stock of required vehicles (2,35,339 vehicles) with the state forces.
• However, funds dedicated for modernisation of infrastructure are typically not utilised fully.
• For example, in 2015-16, only 14% of such funds were used by the states.

Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme

• The MPF scheme was initiated in 1969-70 and has undergone several revisions over the years.
• Funds from the MPF scheme are typically used for improving police infrastructure through construction of police stations and provision of modern weaponry, surveillance and communication equipment.
• Upgradation of training infrastructure, police housing and computerisation are also important objectives funded through the scheme.

Components of scheme

• This umbrella scheme has two verticals –

1. Police Modernisation Security Related Expenditure (SRE) - includes central sector sub-schemes such as Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project and e-Prisons project.
2. Security Related Expenditure (SRE) for Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern States and LWE affected States

• One of the major aims of the umbrella scheme was to 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.
• This will catalyze in improving the quality of life in these areas and help combat these challenges effectively at the same time.