Union Cabinet has envisioned massive funds for upgrading the security infrastructure of states.
What is the roadmap?
An umbrella scheme for ‘Modernisation of Police Forces’ has been proposed.
Over the next 3 years, centre plans to contribution Rs.18,600 crores which is 75% of total & the states will pitch in the rest.
These funds will be used for enhancing weaponry of the forces along with transport, communications and forensic support among others.
Under the scheme, Jammu & Kashmir, the North-eastern States and those affected by Maoist violence are to receive special focus.
Does increased weaponry mean better policing?
While, Naxal violence is on the decline since 2013 but a 122% increase in violent neutralisation of ‘Maoist’ has been reported.
Maoist arrests & arms recoveries have also increased, indicating that leftist unrest is still strong.
Whether further militarising of police could address the probolem hasn’t been thought through.
The executive has been viewing encounters as a legitimate crime-fighting strategy, despite Supreme Court direcvtives against it.
There is a glaringly opacity in accounting for deaths caused by police action.
How effective has fund utilisation been?
Notably, only 14% of modernisation funds were spent in 2015-16.
Underutilisation of existing funds and the state’s capacity to absorb huge funds needs to be studied.
The Union Home ministry has mandated every state to furnish an utilisation certificate for modernisation funds annually.
Finance Ministry has stressed that unless previously sanctioned funds are completely used subsequent funding will not be released.
What are the structural issues?
It has been 11 years since the SC directives on police reforms that focused on establishing accountability.
While both the centre & states embrace big-ticket technical and infrastructural advancement, they still squarely snub demands greater checks and balances.
Only few States provide security of tenure to their police chief and key field officers.
Independent shortlisting of candidates for posting is also rarely done & DGPs are usually handpicked by CMs.
Adjudicating members on “police complaints bodies” are mostly taken force itself, disregarding conflict of interest.
What is need?
This infusion of funds could enable police organisations to overcome endemic shortages of operational resources.
However, there is a greater need for structural reforms to democratise the police force & establish proper accountability.
