Rs 4.21 crore for modernisation of police force

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 11

An allocation of Rs 4.21 crore has been made for Himachal under the sub-scheme, “Assistance to the state for the modernisation of police”, for 2018-19, which includes 90 per cent Central share of Rs 3.79 crore.

Arvind Sharda, Inspector General of Police (Administration), gave a presentation to officers of the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA) at the police headquarters in Bangalore on June 25, following which the funds were approved.

An expenditure of Rs 1.25 crore will be incurred on the forensic science lab (FSL) equipment, Rs 46.50 lakh on traffic equipment, Rs 54.40 lakh on communication equipment and Rs 50-lakh on prisoner’s van while only Rs 47-lakh have been provided for the purchase of modern weapons and Rs 49.26 lakh for the security and surveillance equipment.

The department is facing shortage of modern equipment and against the requirement of 6,974 Insas rifles and 4,747 SLR rifles, only 1,835 and 4,581 rifles, respectively, are available.

Similarly, there is a shortfall of 1,400 reflective batons, 1,300 reflective florescent lights, 90 alco sensors, 1,000 wheel clamp/locks, 1,500 traffic cones, 130 laser speed guns/radars,1,000 body mask and 2,500 pollution noise masks, which is hampering the operations of the police force.

With gradual increase in crime and criminals going hi-tech, modernisation of police force in the state has become the need of the hour.