Police modernisation: states fail to utilise funds

The Rs 1,759 crore meant for imparting training to police forces in sophisticated arms and ammunition remained un-utilised with the central government, with no state government, except from the three, coming forward with proposals to stake claim to the funds.

Following the recommendation of the 13th Finance Commission, the central government had in 2007 agreed to grant over Rs 2,000 crore to the states as most of the security men do not get any mid-career training though the governments keep buying new arms and ammunition.

"We have failed to understand why the state governments are not keen on taking the fund as it is total grant and no money has to be refunded by them," a Home Ministry official said.

The highest Rs 223 crore has been earmarked for Maharashtra, Rs 206 crore for Bihar and Rs 200 crore for Punjab. But none of the three states has submitted any project proposal to the Home Ministry to claim the funds.