BUDGET 1999-2000
COLUMNISTS
INTERVIEWS
ECONOMY
INDUSTRY
FINANCE
ECO SURVEY
RLY BUDGET
PROCESS
BUDGET 98-99
BUDGET 97-98
ARCHIVES

Just Rs 1 billion earmarked for modernisation of police

A meagre sum of Rs 1 billion has been earmarked for the modernisation of the police force, despite the increase in militancy and criminal activities in the country.

The 1999-2000 budget presented by Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha has allocated only Rs 500 million over that of the last year for the modernisation of the police force to combat terrorism and growing crime in various parts of the country.

The home ministry has been allocated Rs 69.16 billion for the next financial year, of which Rs 67.99 billion has been earmarked for the non-plan sector.

Under the modernisation scheme, state governments are provided 50 per cent grant-in-aid and 50 per cent loan for purchase of vehicles, wireless equipment, computers and other sophisticated equipment. A special assistance of Rs 4.72 billion will be provided to states.

Similarly, Rs 6.87 billion has been provided to the Delhi police as against Rs 6.35 billion for the next fiscal year.

The Delhi police has been charged with the responsibility of providing VIP security and registration of foreigners. The Delhi police will also be given Rs 40 million as assistance for installation of traffic signals.

An amount of Rs 163.5 million has been kept aside for the erection of barbed wire fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border. Rs 786.5 million will be incurred during the fiscal year for road construction.

To check the inflow of arms and ammunition from across the Indo-Pakistan border, Rs 603.5 million would be made available for works on the border.

UNI

Budget 1999-2000

Business news