₹25,000CR POLICE REFORM CLEARED

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared on Wednesday the implementation of a ₹25,060-crore umbrella scheme that aims to modernise Central and state police forces over the next three years.

The implementation of the Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme will assign a greater responsibility on the central government with regards to ensuring upgradation of police infrastructure. The Centre will bear 80 % of expenditure — ₹18,636 crore — under the scheme and states will spend the rest.

Home minister Rajnath Singh said the scheme will help in realising the dream of “samriddha aur surakshit bharat”. “The MPF scheme will include the computerisation of crime registration, investigation, prosecution and strengthen criminal justice system,” he said.

Under the scheme, special provisions have been made to ensure strengthening of internal security, procurement of modern weapons, hiring of helicopters and implementation of e-prison project.

The state’s had been given the task of ensuring police upgradation after their revenue share rose to 42 % following the implementation of 14th Finance Commission’s suggestions but “the home minister and MHA wanted Centre to have the responsibility of modernising our police force,” said a home ministry official.

The home ministry said the new scheme would help in tackling various internal security threats. “Implementation of this scheme would bolster the government’s ability to address challenges such as areas affected by Left Wing Extremism, Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast and undertake development interventions which will catalyse in improving the quality of life in these areas ,” the home ministry said in a statement.

DOCS CAN RETIRE AT 65

During the cabinet meeting, the government also decided to increase the retirement age of central government doctors including those working under the AYUSH ministry and in the railways to 65 years.

The retirement age of doctors in some departments is 60 years and in some others, it is 62.

BETTER CONNECTIVITY

The government also decided to allow mobile and internet service providers to set up joint towers and systems on land parcels belonging to the defence forces to improve cellular connectivity in the country.