Government of India approves continuation of umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF)

17 Feb,22 9:30 am
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Scheme of Modernization of State Police Forces: The Union government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently approved the umbrella scheme of Modernisation of State Police Forces (MPF) for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Key Highlights:

  • The approval for Police force modernization scheme moves forward the initiative of the Union Home Minister to modernize and improve the functioning of Police Forces of States and Union Territories.
  • It comprises all relevant sub-schemes that contribute to modernization and improvement.
  • It will continue for another five years.
  • The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹26,275 crore.

Salient Features of the MPF Scheme:

  • Under the MPF scheme, provision has been made for internal security, law and order, adoption of modern technology by police, assisting States for narcotics control.
  • It aims at strengthening the criminal justice system by developing a robust forensic set-up in India.
  • The Centre will provide ₹4,846 crore for the modernization of state police forces.
  • The government has approved ₹2,080.50 crore under the central scheme for the modernization of forensic capacities.
  • The amount has been approved to develop operationally independent high-quality forensic sciences facilities to aid scientific and timely investigation through modernization of resources.
  • Rs 18,839 crore has been allocated for security related expenditure Jammu and Kashmir, insurgency affected North Eastern States Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas.
  • With the implementation of ‘National Policy and Action Plan’ for combating LWE, the LWE violence incidents have come down drastically.
  • To further pursue this accomplishment, six LWE related schemes have been approved, with Central outlay of Rs. 8,689 crores.
  • These schemes include Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Most LWE Affected Districts & Districts of Concern to consolidate the gains.
  • Rs 350 crores have been allocated to raise India Reserve Battalions as well as Specialised India Reserve Battalions by the government.
  • The government has extended the central sector scheme of assistance to states and union territories for narcotics control with an outlay of ₹50 crore.

Background:

Key Points of MPF Scheme:

  • Scheme for Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF Scheme) is being implemented by the union government since 1969-70 for reforming the state police forces.
  • The MPF Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme.
  • 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 will be eligible to receive financial assistance on a 90:10 Centre: State sharing basis.
  • The remaining States will be in Category ‘B’ and will be eligible for financial assistance on 60:40 Centre: State sharing basis.

Who is responsible for implementing the MPF scheme?

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is responsible for implementing the MPF Scheme.

Objectives of MPF scheme:

  • The objective of the scheme is to gradually reduce the dependence of the State Governments on the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces to control internal security and law and order situations.
  • This is done by equipping the State Police Forces adequately and strengthening their training infrastructure.
  • The main focus of the scheme is to strengthen police infrastructure at cutting edge level by the construction of secure police stations, training centres, police housing (residential), equipping the police stations with the required mobility, modern weaponry, communication equipment and forensic set-up etc.

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