Why in news?
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.
Source: Indian Express
