Maha govt ups allocation to focus on tackling terrorism

Mumbai, May 11: To deal with fresh challenges of terrorism, by strengthening police force and upgrading weaponry, Maharashtra government has increased the state plan allocation for the Home department from Rs 303-crore in 2010-11 to Rs 505 crore in 2011-12.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) U C Sarangi told PTI that his department has chalked out plans to utilise the funds (increased by 66 percent) to identify areas of deficiency in the police force and focus on them during the coming year.

"I have already identified areas of focus to strengthen police force, equip them with weapons and technology, improve intelligence facilitate training and skill development," he said.

To ensure use of information technology to its full potential to improve their day-to-day functioning, an initiative called Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) is already under implementation. It is likely to be completed by December this year.

In this system, data of crime and criminals will be available online to all police stations which can be used to speedy detection, he said.

Sarangi said nine software applications have been selected for police computerisation. "They have been put on trial at various levels from the District Superintendent level to the state police headquarters. This will bring administrative efficiency," he added.

Under the 13th Finance Commission, the state has got Rs 223 crore for a period of five years to upgrade training facilities in all the police training institutions.

"For the first year (2011-12), we have received Rs 55 crore and the money is being utilised to complete all ongoing constructions of training facilities, accommodation and enhance service training modules including the Marine police training institute and counter urban terrorism training centre,"he added.

PTI