Govt planning to extend police scheme by 5 years: Shinde

"The central government remains fully committed to support the upgradation and modernisation of the state police forces. Government of India has disbursed a total amount of more than Rs 12,000 crore during the last ten years to the states in the form of grants-in-aid under the Modernisation of Police Force (MPF) scheme.

"The scheme has made perceptible impact in all the states and has provided much needed assistance and impetus to police modernisation. This scheme is being considered for extension for next five years," he told a meeting of the top brass of the country's police forces.

Shinde also urged the states to spend the entire amount lying idle for activation of the ambitious Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS).

"With the range of security challenges that this country confronts, several mechanisms are in place and others are under implementation. The Union government remains duty bound to assist state police forces such that their capacity can be enhanced. But each of you have a responsibility to ensure that funds provided are properly used, vacancies at your own end are filled up and special capacities are created for dealing with threats to peace and security posed by terrorism and Naxalism.

"The reach of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) is proposed to be increased and efforts are afoot, with your cooperation, for implementation of the CCTNS. With regard to CCTNS, over Rs 298 crore out of Rs 421 crore released to states/UTs are lying unspent. This money needs to be spent expeditiously as per MHA guidelines to enable further releases. I would request your personal involvement and interest in this key initiative," he said.