No steps taken to modernise State police : CAG report
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 06 2024: Even as several armoured vehicles are being procured to enhance State Police's operational capabilities amid the prevailing clash, no strategic plan was prepared by the Manipur Government during 2016-17 to 2020-21 for modernisation of the State Police force, said a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

The report also said, "Against guidelines of Security Related Expenditure, Rs 27.38 crore was released to the accounts of cadres under Suspension of Operation (SoO) without linking of unique biometric identification numbers" .

The report of the CAG, placed in the State Legislature on February 29, contains reports on General, Social Economic (Other than Public Sector Undertakings), Economic (State Public Sector Enterprises) and Revenue Sectors for the year ended 31 March 2022 .

Under the subject specific compliance audit of 'Umbrella scheme of Modernisation of Police Force', the report said "No strategic plan was prepared by the State Government during 2016-17 to 2020-21 under Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) scheme due to which many important activities relating to modernisation have either been delayed considerably or not implemented" .

The report stated that the Annual Action Plans of 2016-17 to 2020-21 were submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) with a delay of approximately one to over two months which subsequently delayed its approval, release of funds and implementation of the modernisation activities/programmes.

It said there was lack of prioritization and no monitoring of the implementation of the scheme of MPF.

"Despite availability of funds under the scheme, there was tardy implementation and funds remained unspent every year (2016-22) .

As on March 31, 2022, Rs 41.09 crore remained unspent, said the report.

There were huge shortages of modern arms such as Carbine Amogh, Ghatak Rifle and Glock Pistol.

There were also shortages of ammunition.

Keeper of Technical Equipment (KOTE) where weapons/ammunition are kept were in dilapidated condition without adequate firefighting equipment and proper boundary wall.

The Department failed to utilise the available funds to purchase modern weapons, revealed the report.

The report added there were excess numbers of Light Motor Vehicles and motorcycles in some Superintendent of Police (SP) offices while there were shortages in most of the police stations and in some SP offices.

There were also less number of heavy and medium vehicles in all Armed Police units.

The report further said the State Forensic Science Laboratory lacks modern equipment.

The State Forensic Science Laboratory was facing serious shortages of equipment and manpower.

Shortages of much needed manpower across different cadres had not been addressed.

The Dept failed to utilise the allocated fund by GoI to strengthen Forensic Science Laboratory with modern equipment, it said.

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network Systems (CCTNS) were not fully functional in the State even after 12 years from the date of implementation of the Scheme, the report added.

The CAG report also gave recommendations for consideration by the State Government.

It said the State Government may prioritize the requirements of the police force under Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) and strictly monitor the progress of implementation of the scheme and utilization of funds.

The State Government may address shortage of weapons and ammunition on priority basis as it could limit operational efficiency of the police force, said the report.

It also recommended the Government to address the shortage of vehicles to improve mobility of police force and the shortage of technical manpower in Forensic Science Laboratories.

The CAG report further recommended the Government to take initiative to link unique biometric identity numbers of the surrendered militants/SoO cadres for making payment for better transparency; and to fix responsibility on the person concerned for making payment to surrendered militants/SoO cadres without linking of unique biometric identity numbers.

The Government may complete networking in all police stations and appoint a System Integrator under Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS), said the CAG report.

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