Pradhan denounces Odisha DGP's remark on Central funds

Denouncing Odisha DGP Sanjeev Marik's recent remarks on reduced Central funds for police modernisation in the state, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today cautioned civil service officers over making such statements.
"I heard the recent criticism of Odisha DGP. This is not correct on part of an all India Service Officer to give such a statement," Pradhan, Union Minister for Oil and Natural Gas, said on the sidelines of a party function here.
Alleging that the ruling party in Odisha has been engaging IAS and IPS officers in political activities in the state, Pradhan said the officers should keep it in mind that they are employees of the Government of India.

Pradhan's statement came in response to Odisha DGP Marik's remarks on April 29, that the Centre's decision to stop funding of police modernisation in the state will affect infrastructure development activities.
"Stopping of funds for police modernisation will certainly hit the police force. The Centre should review its decision. The state earlier used to get Rs 127 crore per annum from different heads for development of the police," Marik had told reporters after attending a meeting presided by Chief Secretary G C Pati on April 29.
Marik also said that the state-level empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary has assured the Odisha Police of providing all necessary assistance for the development of the force in the state.

He had also said that the state government would give priority to modernisation of the police force even as the Centre stopped funding under different heads.