Central Police forces get 25 per cent more in Budget pie

The allocation for central police organisations today saw a substantial 25 per cent jump in 2009-10 budget with the CRPF, the world's largest paramilitary force, getting the lion's share.

The paramilitary forces were allocated Rs 21,634.15 crore for 2009-10 as against Rs 17,354.80 crore in 2008-09.

The CRPF, which plays a key role in tackling insurgency, naxalism and terrorism, got Rs 6,973.86 crore in the new budget against Rs 5,510.10 crore in 2008-09 — an increase of 26 per cent.

The BSF, guarding the Line of control in Jammu and Kashmir and the country's 6,622 kms borders with Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, got Rs 6,488.14 crore compared to last year's Rs 5,376.99 crore — an increase of 20.06 per cent.

The CISF will receive Rs 2,430.98 crore in comparison to last year's Rs 2,001.15 crore — an increase of 21.47 per cent — to handle the new responsibility of guarding Indian missions abroad and companies seeking security.

Assam Rifles, operating in insurgency-hit Northeast, will get Rs 2,329.11 crore, which marks an increase of Rs 597.64 crore over last year. The force will get 34 per cent more funds this fiscal than the last financial year.  The ITBP that guards country's 3,488-km-long borders with China will get Rs 1,540.16 crore, a rise of 18.01 per cent over last year.

The SSB, which protects the country's 1,818 kms border with Nepal and 699 kms boundary with Bhutan, has got Rs 291.81 crore more than last year's Rs 1,266.29 crore.

The NSG has got Rs 313.80 crore compared to last year's Rs 204.08 crore — an increase of 20.08 per cent.