Rajnath Singh enhances financial powers of CAPF DGs

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has raised the delegated financial powers of Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) four times under the annual procurement plan as well as modernisation plan for speeding up the procurement process.

A home ministry statement said Thursday the financial powers were earlier delegated in 2009 and the present enhancement amounts to about 400 percent.

"The existing delegated powers each for procurement of arms and ammunition, and machinery and equipment have been increased from Rs.5 crore to Rs.20 crore. While the powers for procurement of clothing and tentage is increased from Rs.6 crore to Rs.15 crore. For the computers and peripheral items, the amount is increased from Rs.25 lakh to Rs.1 crore," the statement said.

According to the statement, the DGs at present have delegated powers of Rs.50 lakh in each case of trial evaluation of new items and this power has been increased to Rs.1 crore for all the CAPFs. For the National Security Guard (NSG), the limit has been increased to Rs.2 crore.

The CAPFs were exercising delegated financial powers regarding procurement of arms and ammunition, machinery and equipment, clothing and tentage, computer and peripheral items, and of items for trial and evaluation before introduction in the force.

"Due to the limited financial powers, CAPFs were finding difficulty in timely procurement. The enhanced financial powers to DGs of CAPFs are expected to speed up the procurement process and strengthen the operational capabilities of forces," the statement said.