Central funds for Gujarat police modernisation unutilised

The state government has failed to fully utilise the grants provided by the Central government for modernisation of the state police force. In a written reply to a question by Congress MLA Mansinh Rathwa, minister of state for home, Praful Patel said that the Central government had provided Rs52.18 crore for police modernisation in 2009-10, Rs55.27 crore in 2010-11 and Rs33.22 crore in 2011-12.

Figures provided by Patel show that the state government was unable to fully utilize the funds in any of the years. “A total of Rs47.35 crore were utilised in 2009-10, while Rs45.97 crore were used in 2010-11. However, the process for purchase is going on,” the minister said.

In the previous two years, the Central funds were spent for Mega city policing, desert areas, home guards, Intelligence Bureau and Forensic Science Laboratory, informed Patel.

In reply to a question by Deodar MLA Anil Mali, the minister stated that the state government had not taken any steps to form a special battalion for enhancing security in the border areas and to fight terrorism.