States 'inadvertently' diverting police funds: minister

Funds allocated by Home Ministry for modernisation of state police forces (MPF) have been "inadvertently" diverted by several state governments prompting the Centre to introduce a quarterly concurrent audit for checking the practice, the Lok Sabha was informed today. 

"On the basis of audit reports, some instances have come to notice where funds meant for a particular item under the scheme have been inadvertently or otherwise utilised for purchase of another item....Either not approved in the Action plan or other approved items under the scheme requiring prior approval or in another year requiring revalidation," Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran said today.

In Andhra Pradesh, funds allocated against specific activities were incurred on the training of newly recruited police staff, Ramchandran told the Lok Sabha.

"Punjab police have purchased office equipment which need prior approval of competent authority and in case of Bihar, funds were spent on purchase of vehicles in the year 2008-09 from the allocation of funds of previous year requiring approval/revalidation," the Minister said.

In order to have a proper check on recurrence of such incidents, a system of concurrent audit on quarterly basis has been introduced from the last quarter of 2008-09, Ramachandran said. "Under the scheme, funds are allocated to the states for various items of expenditure approved in the Annual action place, like mobility, modern weaponry, communication system and training infrastructure facilities," Ramachandran said.

He also said the funds were meant for forensic science facilities, strengthening intelligence branches, security equipment, construction of buildings of police stations/posts, and construction of residential buildings of lower level police personnel among others.