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As the UPA government launches its ambitious Rs 1.25 lakh crore food security scheme, our paramilitary forces are feeling the pinch.
A mega modernisation project for the paramilitary forces has been hit as a cash-strapped government has decided to divert the funds to its flagship schemes.
This has forced the security forces, including Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and National Security Guard, to compromise on their upgrade plans and purchase of necessary equipment.
The modernisation plan, with a budget of nearly Rs 11,000 crore for five years (2012-2017), was approved by the Union cabinet in May this year.
The amount sanctioned for two years, including arrears for 2012-13, was Rs 2,379 crore. However, the authorities have released only 3.7 per cent (Rs 89 crore) of the entire amount so far.
The "bounty" is hardly encouraging for the forces engaged in difficult assignments such as fighting the Naxalites, checking incursions on India-China border, combating infiltrators from Pakistan and securing our airports.
While some of the forces have received between Rs 20 crore and Rs 28 crore as modernisation fund, the ITBP, guarding the China border, and the CISF, responsible for security of airports and industrial units, have not received a single penny from the government so far.
"The amount sanctioned for the forces was a big one. We were happy with the decision. It is disappointing that the government is not releasing the money due to other considerations," said a senior officer from one of the forces.
Sources said implementing populist schemes such as food security, with an annual budget of Rs 1.25 lakh crore, and MGNREGA, with an annual expenditure of Rs 40,000 crore, ahead of the elections has forced the government to cut down the funds for the security forces.
This has irked defence experts who feel the country's security is being seriously compromised by the authorities in their bid to woo voters with mega projects.
Fiscal deficit
There is also a possibility of a cutback on spending to control the burgeoning fiscal deficit in non-social security and welfare areas, which will hurt the upgrade of paramilitary forces at this crucial time when we are facing internal and external challenges.
Prakash Singh, former director general, BSF, said the government is overlooking the country's security while pumping money into populist schemes.
"Money is going down the drain but the government is not bothered. If money (meant for security forces) gets diverted, then some of the plans get affected," he said.
Security expert Bharat Karnad felt the problem could be three-pronged.
"Maybe the government is not satisfied with the expenditure plan of some of the forces and wants to cut down on cost. The other possibility is that since the government is pre-occupied with other things ahead of elections, it is inactive and no decisions can be taken. It could also be a result of a bureaucratic logjam between the home ministry and the finance ministry," he said.
The modernisation fund is meant for upgrading the forces. It includes purchasing modern weapons, hi-tech machinery, communication and surveillance equipment, clothing, motor vehicles and also conducting special training programmes.
"It is essential to upgrade the forces regularly to meet the challenges of internal security," an officer said.
Ved Marwah, former NSG chief, said the government is never serious about forces' modernisation.
"The government looks at modernisation plan as a financial problem. People in-charge of paramilitary forces in the home ministry do not have any idea of the real issues. There should also be a plan to see that the money is properly utilised," he said.
Experts also expressed surprise over the "freeze" on funds as the amount released for the first modernisation programme - from 2002 to 2012 - was well utilised.
According to home ministry data, the total outlay for the 10- year period was Rs 3,500 crore and 83 per cent of the amount was used.
The CRPF has received only Rs 20 crore against their allocation of Rs 918 crore since 2012.
The elite NSG has been given a paltry Rs 1 crore.
The total budget for 2014-15 modernisation plan is Rs 3,100 crore but it is unlikely that the paramilitary forces would get a chunk of this amount as general elections are slated early next year.
Read more: Paramilitary forces funding cut from Rs 2,379 crore to Rs 89 crore as government funnels cash to populist projects | Mail Online
A mega modernisation project for the paramilitary forces has been hit as a cash-strapped government has decided to divert the funds to its flagship schemes.
This has forced the security forces, including Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal and National Security Guard, to compromise on their upgrade plans and purchase of necessary equipment.
The modernisation plan, with a budget of nearly Rs 11,000 crore for five years (2012-2017), was approved by the Union cabinet in May this year.
The amount sanctioned for two years, including arrears for 2012-13, was Rs 2,379 crore. However, the authorities have released only 3.7 per cent (Rs 89 crore) of the entire amount so far.
The "bounty" is hardly encouraging for the forces engaged in difficult assignments such as fighting the Naxalites, checking incursions on India-China border, combating infiltrators from Pakistan and securing our airports.
While some of the forces have received between Rs 20 crore and Rs 28 crore as modernisation fund, the ITBP, guarding the China border, and the CISF, responsible for security of airports and industrial units, have not received a single penny from the government so far.
"The amount sanctioned for the forces was a big one. We were happy with the decision. It is disappointing that the government is not releasing the money due to other considerations," said a senior officer from one of the forces.
Sources said implementing populist schemes such as food security, with an annual budget of Rs 1.25 lakh crore, and MGNREGA, with an annual expenditure of Rs 40,000 crore, ahead of the elections has forced the government to cut down the funds for the security forces.
This has irked defence experts who feel the country's security is being seriously compromised by the authorities in their bid to woo voters with mega projects.
Fiscal deficit
There is also a possibility of a cutback on spending to control the burgeoning fiscal deficit in non-social security and welfare areas, which will hurt the upgrade of paramilitary forces at this crucial time when we are facing internal and external challenges.
Prakash Singh, former director general, BSF, said the government is overlooking the country's security while pumping money into populist schemes.
"Money is going down the drain but the government is not bothered. If money (meant for security forces) gets diverted, then some of the plans get affected," he said.
Security expert Bharat Karnad felt the problem could be three-pronged.
"Maybe the government is not satisfied with the expenditure plan of some of the forces and wants to cut down on cost. The other possibility is that since the government is pre-occupied with other things ahead of elections, it is inactive and no decisions can be taken. It could also be a result of a bureaucratic logjam between the home ministry and the finance ministry," he said.
The modernisation fund is meant for upgrading the forces. It includes purchasing modern weapons, hi-tech machinery, communication and surveillance equipment, clothing, motor vehicles and also conducting special training programmes.
"It is essential to upgrade the forces regularly to meet the challenges of internal security," an officer said.
Ved Marwah, former NSG chief, said the government is never serious about forces' modernisation.
"The government looks at modernisation plan as a financial problem. People in-charge of paramilitary forces in the home ministry do not have any idea of the real issues. There should also be a plan to see that the money is properly utilised," he said.
Experts also expressed surprise over the "freeze" on funds as the amount released for the first modernisation programme - from 2002 to 2012 - was well utilised.
According to home ministry data, the total outlay for the 10- year period was Rs 3,500 crore and 83 per cent of the amount was used.
The CRPF has received only Rs 20 crore against their allocation of Rs 918 crore since 2012.
The elite NSG has been given a paltry Rs 1 crore.
The total budget for 2014-15 modernisation plan is Rs 3,100 crore but it is unlikely that the paramilitary forces would get a chunk of this amount as general elections are slated early next year.
Read more: Paramilitary forces funding cut from Rs 2,379 crore to Rs 89 crore as government funnels cash to populist projects | Mail Online
