India’s capacity to deal with security challenges will be better by 2012: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Presenting his monthly report for November, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said on Tuesday that India’s capacity to deal with security challenges would be better by 2012.

“Despite the usual administrative bottlenecks, implementation has gathered pace and is being closely monitored. I review the Action Plan of each division every quarter. I do not say that every thing is satisfactory, but I can say with confidence that we have set for ourselves ambitious goals and we are geared to achieve those goals,” Chidambaram told media persons here.

“India’s capacity to deal with challenges to its security is better today than it was two years ago, it will be better next year than it is today, and it will be even better two years hence. That, in my view, is the only measure of progress and achievement,” he added.I have learnt that capacity addition requires patience, perseverance and persistence. There is no magic wand and capacity cannot be added instantly. Hence, after I took over, we identified the critical gaps in capacity both at the Central level and at the States’ level,” Chidambaram said.

“Policing begins with the number of pairs of feet on the streets. There were 530,580 vacancies in the state police forces January 1,2009. Since that date, States have added 116,903 personnel to their forces. This is a remarkable achievement, but it also highlights the distance that remains to be covered.

He said that at the Central level, 31,584 vacancies were filled in 2009-10 and 14,506 vacancies have been filled so far in 2010-11.

Recruitment is in progress in the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles. 11,985 posts have been sanctioned to the NSG for the four regional hubs, the two regional centres and the operational force at Manesar.

He also said that huge amounts have been provided for procurement by the paramilitary forces.

He said the equipment procured included assault rifles, carbines and pistols; BP jackets; mine protected or bullet proof vehicles and armoured troop carriers; motorcycles, rescue boats and attack craft; grenade launchers; night vision equipment etc.

He also said that funds have been released to the States under Modernisation of Police Force Scheme, Security Related Expenditure and Special Infrastructure Scheme.

He revealed the border fencing, roads and flood-lighting works on the borders are in progress.

A comprehensive project for construction of border roads along the India-Nepal border, India-Bhutan border and India-Pakistan border at an estimated cost of ‘ 5,662 crore has been approved and the work will commence on April 1, 2011, he revealed.

He said that phase one of the coastal security scheme would come to an end on March 31, 2011.

The second phase, which is estimated to cost of Rs.1,580 crore, has been approved and it includes setting up of more police stations, acquiring boats, vehicles and other equipment, and constructing jetties.

All forensic science laboratories are being upgraded and strengthened. The department has been renamed as the Department of Forensic Science Services and its mandate expanded.

He said that the authorized strength of the IPS has been increased from 3,889 (as on 1.1.2009) to 4,013 (as on 1.1.2010).

The number of officers in position has gone up from 3,322 to 3,383 during that period. The annual intake into the IPS was enhanced to 150 beginning 2009.

Mandatory mid-career training programmes have been introduced at three levels for every IPS officer.

Chidambaram said that the infrastructure at the National Police Academy is being strengthened.

The syllabus has been substantially revised; new courses have been introduced; new subjects are being taught; new attachments have been prescribed with emphasis on field craft; and a separate paper on internal security has been included in the curriculum.

Training capacity is being expanded significantly.

He said that the Intelligence Bureau is setting up four more Regional Training Centres.

He said that every CPMF is augmenting training capacity. 20 CIAT Schools have been sanctioned in nine states. (ANI)