Home Minister P Chidambaram today emphasised that large vacancies in the state police forces must be filled up. The latest estimate from the states says there are about 150,000 vacant posts in the police.
“There is no substitute for putting men and women in uniform on the roads. I have learnt this lesson,” Home Minister told reporters after a day-long meeting with the chief ministers. As the Centre laid importance on filling up vacancies in police wings, most of the states asked for central assistance for funds and its trainings.
At the same time, the UPA government also asked the states to ensure continuity in their postings and avoid frequent transfers for a better performance of the police forces.
The Centre had convened a meeting of the chief ministers today in Delhi to discuss various national security issues. Chidambaram observed that on January 1, 2008, the number of vacancies in all ranks in state polices was 230,567. “It appears that the vacancy level may have declined to about 150,000. Even this is too large and the state governments must make every effort to recruit and begin training of police personnel at least to the extent of 150,000 vacancies before March 31, 2010.”
Chief ministers like Raman Singh (Chhattisgarh), Nitish Kumar (Bihar) and Naveen Patnaik (Orissa) sought the Centre’s help to raise these forces, and pointed out that specialised training for cops to undertake anti-naxal and terror operations need to be backed by Centre.
“I would request the Union home minister to make available at least 100 personnel, including 10 trainers of the NSG, in our state. The Union government may also assist us in equipping our teams with specialised arms and equipment for which a proposal has already been sent,” Patnaik said in his speech.
Nitish Kumar proposed that the Centre should procure modern arms and ammunition directly and give it to the states. Chidambaram accepted this suggestion and said: “In order to quicken the procurement of weapons, the central government may consider central procurement of weapons on behalf of the states.”
The states were also unanimous in their demand that the Modernisation of Police Forces (MPF) scheme should be continued for another five to ten years and more funds should be allocated to the scheme.
Chidambaram said he would talk to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to get additional fund as the scheme involves central government sharing a large of the state’s expense on police modernisation.
But Chidambaram also expressed hope that the states will not arbitrarily transfer its police officers as it might affect his leadership qualities. Although Chidambaram didn’t take any specific name, but Home Ministry officials believe this observation came after Uttar Pradesh government led by Mayawati has been frequently shifting officers on various grounds. “The police forces require stronger leadership. How can an officer provide leadership if his or her tenure is precarious and uncertain? I urge states that have not yet established a police establishment board, to do so immediately. It will greatly help the CM and the Home Minister in conveying the message of fairness and non-discrimination while they can always intervene in exceptional cases.”
