Centre Approves Continuation of Scheme for Police Forces Modernization

The Central government said on Sunday that the umbrella scheme for modernizing and improving police forces in states and union territories will be extended for another five years. The umbrella program of Modernization of Police Forces (MPF) has been authorized for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, according to a statement from the ministry of home affairs. All applicable sub-schemes are included in the scheme, which has a total Central financial outlay of Rs. 26,275 crore.

The project, according to the Union Home Ministry, comprises security-related expenditures for raising new battalions, developing high-tech forensic laboratories, and other investigation tools in Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern states, and Maoist-affected areas.

The scheme provides central support to state governments for the acquisition of cutting-edge armament, training devices, advanced communication / forensic technology, cyber policing equipment, and other items. Furthermore, in the insurgency-affected north-eastern states and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, “building” and “purchasing of operating vehicles” are permitted.

As a result, financial aid is provided under the scheme for the acquisition of infrastructure and equipment, including training equipment that improves the police forces’ skills and efficiency.

For the purposes of funding, the States are divided into two categories under the ASMP scheme: Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B.’ Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and eight North Eastern states, including Sikkim, are eligible for financial support on a 90:10 basis between the Centre and the States. The remaining States are classified as Category ‘B,’ and are eligible for financial assistance on a 60:40 basis between the Centre and the States.

The financial outlay under ASMP Scheme during the past few years is as below (in crores):

The ASMP scheme has granted funds to all state governments, including the government of Uttar Pradesh. The funds granted to the Uttar Pradesh government are Rs. 118.67 crore and Rs. 64.81 crore, respectively, against allocations of Rs. 68.39 crore and Rs. 63.19 crore for the fiscal years 2018-19 and 2019-20. It also includes Rs. 7.69 crore in incentives for implementing police reforms and Rs. 38.26 crore in higher performance rewards for the fiscal year 2018-19.

“Six LWE-related programs with a total Central investment of Rs.8,689 crore have been approved to promote this achievement.” To cement the achievements, these programs include Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Most LWE Affected Districts & Districts of Concern,” it stated.

The government has approved a budget of 350 crore for the formation of India Reserve Battalions and Specialized India Reserve Battalions. With a budget of Rs 50 crore, it has extended the central sector scheme of ‘Assistance to States and Union Territories for Narcotics Control.’

According to an official release, the clearance for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 advances Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s aim to modernize and improve the operation of state and union territory police forces.

According to the statement, this scheme includes all applicable sub-schemes that contribute to modernization and enhancement, with a total central budgetary outlay of Rs 26,275 crore.

In Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency-affected northeastern states, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, a government outlay of Rs 18,839 crore has been set aside for security-related expenditure.

According to the announcement, the central government will provide Rs 4,846 for the modernization of state police forces. Rs 2,080.50 crore would be allocated to create operationally independent high-quality forensic sciences facilities in states and union territories to enable scientific and timely investigation.

The statements further comments that with the adoption of the ‘National Policy and Action Plan‘ for battling Maoists or LWE, the number of LWE violence occurrences has decreased dramatically.