Question : MODERNISATION OF POLICE FORCE

(a) the criteria being followed for allocation of funds to the States under the Modernisation of State Police Force (MPF) scheme;

(b) whether the Government has received reports/complaints with regard to corruption/irregularities and misappropriation/diversion of funds under the MPF scheme and if so, the total number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, Statewise;

(c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the details and the outcome thereof, State-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to take fresh initiatives for the modernisation of State Police Forces and training of police personnel as well as provision for hundred per cent financial and adequate technical assistance and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government for effective implementation of the said scheme and to curb corruption/irregularities in the utilisation of MPF funds?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a): The allocation of funds to each State under the Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF) Scheme is based on the approved formula of population (35% weightage), sanctioned strength of police force (25% weightage), number of police stations (15 % weightage) and incidence of crime per lakh population (25% weightage). Further, under the Scheme, the States are grouped into two categories, namely Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’ for the purpose of funding both under ‘Non-Plan’ and Plan. Category ‘A’ States, namely, J&K and 8 North Eastern States including Sikkim, are eligible to receive financial assistance on 90:10 Centre: State sharing basis. The remaining States are in Category ‘B’ and are eligible for financial assistance on 60:40 Centre: State sharing basis.

(b) & (c): A complaint has been received regarding misuse of funds under MPF Scheme by one State. As per Government guidelines, the complainant was requested to confirm that he has actually made the complaint. However, no response has been received from the complainant.

(d): The focus of Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) scheme is to strengthen the police infrastructure. Some of the major items of police infrastructure covered under the scheme are police building, police housing including construction of police training institutions under Plan and mobility, weapons, equipment for training, computerization, forensic science and Mega City Policing (MCP) under Non-Plan. The Plan component under MPF Scheme was started only in 2013-14. No fund has been provided under Plan component of MPF Scheme during 2015-16. The Scheme stands transferred to the States. Consequently, there will be no Central Funding of construction activities of police building and police housing including construction of police training institutions for State Police Forces under MPF Scheme. However, there is a non-plan allocation of Rs. 595 crore under BE 2015-16 for mobility, equipment, weapons, etc for State Police under MPF Scheme. Police and Public Order fall under the category of subjects within the domain of the State as per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Although the Central Government has been supplementing the State Governments through the aforementioned Scheme, the primary responsibility for modernizing the Police Force and maintaining law and order in the respective States lies with the State Government.

(e) The Utilization Certificates for the funds released during previous years as per General Financial Rules, are to be furnished by the State Governments for release of funds under MPF Scheme. Further there is a system of concurrent audit of MPF Scheme by the Internal Audit Wing of Ministry of Home Affairs.