The Assam government on Wednesday approved Rs 150 crore for the development of the police infrastructure. But the surprising thing is that the amount of assistance received from the central government for police modernization has declined drastically in the last few years. This is the same amount from which necessary facilities, new equipment and technical resources are arranged in police stations.
Procrastination in the name of modernization
From 2019-20 to 2021-22, Assam received Rs 26.4 crore annually from the Ministry of Home Affairs. But in 2022-23 this amount decreased to only Rs 11.65 crore. After this, in 2023-24 it fell further to just Rs 6.58 crore. That is, there has been a decline of about 70 percent in just two years. This cut is considered very worrying for a state like Assam.
Why are the northeastern states being ignored?
Not only Assam, but states like Manipur and Mizoram have also been victims of a huge cut in the modernization fund received from the Center. While the law and order situation in these states often keeps deteriorating. On the other hand, a state like Goa is constantly getting good assistance even though the situation there is relatively better. This inequality is also surprising many security experts.
The ground situation is very bad
In a city like Guwahati, police stations get submerged in water as soon as it rains. In Geetanagar and Satgaon police stations, policemen have to take buckets and remove water themselves. Police barracks in many districts are in dilapidated condition. CCTV coverage is also incomplete. There are some vehicles whose doors do not even open properly. In such a situation, it is natural for the morale of the police force to fall.
Will the picture change with 150 crores?
The amount of 150 crores approved by the state government is expected to provide some relief. If this amount is spent properly, the condition of police stations can improve. But the role of the Center is also important because the ratio of expenditure between the Center and the state is 90:10. It is not yet clear whether the state government itself had demanded less funds or the Centre had made the cut arbitrarily.
