Rs 3.5 lakh crore needed for internal security in 2020-25: MHA
New Delhi, April 21: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday said it had informed the 15th Finance Commission about its budgetary requirement of more than Rs 3.5 lakh crore for internal security and other responsibilities between 2020-25.
"The budgetary requirement is meant for internal security, Central Armed Police Forces, police modernisation, border security, disaster management and Union Territories," a Ministry statement said.
A detailed memorandum will be submitted later to the panel, it said.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh on Thursday whereing the Ministry made a presentation to say that its responsibilities vis-a-vis diverse and varied internal security challenges have increased, even though ‘public order' and ‘police' are constitutional responsibilities of the states.
"The capabilities of the states alone are not adequate to meet the threats of insurgency and terrorism which have national and international links," the Ministry added.
The MHA said it also faced other challenges like improving the sense of security among the public, making vulnerable sections like women and children safer, meeting cyberthreats and providing immediate relief and rehabilitation during natural disasters.
There is a steady improvement in the overall security situation in the hinterland, northeastern states and Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas due to concerted efforts of the Centre and the states but relentless efforts are needed to consolidate the gains, the MHA said.
The Finance Commission was briefed on various schemes being implemented by the MHA, which require continued capital expenditure, such as modernisation of police forces crime and criminal tracking network and systems, immigration, visa, foreigners registration and tracking, coastal security, border infrastructure, and integrated check posts.
Capital investment is also required to make appropriate use of new technologies for cybersecurity and border management, it said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Punjab: Two shooters, 5 others arrested in AAP sarpanch murder case
Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab Police on Monday said it has arrested two shooters and five other accused in the murder case of an AAP sarpanch who was killed at a wedding in Amritsar on January 4.
The two shooters -- Sukhraj Singh alias Ganga from Patti in Tarn Taran district and Karamjit Singh from Gurdaspur district -- were arrested from Raipur in Chhattisgarh on Sunday in coordination with the local police and central agencies, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav told reporters here.
The two were produced before a court in Raipur and taken into custody after obtaining transit remand. They are being brought to Amritsar for further investigation, he said.
The other five arrested accused, who were part of the support and logistical module, were arrested from Punjab, the DGP said.
Jharmal Singh, sarpanch of Valthoa village in Tarn Taran, was shot dead at the wedding at point-blank range.
CCTV footage showed the two shooters walking into the wedding venue, one of them pulling out a gun and firing at Singh's head before fleeing the spot. Singh was rushed to a hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Soon after the incident, the AAP government drew flak from the opposition over alleged deteriorating law and order in Punjab, with the BJP demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's resignation.
