Parliamentary panel raps govt for slashing Delhi Police funds

A Parliamentary panel has rapped the government for slashing funds allocated to the Delhi Police saying such a move will only affect procurement of weapons and payments to outside forces deployed in the national capital's law and order duties.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in its 197th report, submitted to Rajya Sabha, said the projected Budget Estimates (BE) for 2016-17 was Rs 7691.17 crore for Delhi Police while actual allocation to the force was Rs 5913.74 crore, which is Rs 1,777.43 crore less.
According to the Home Ministry, the less allocation in BE 2016-17 under non-plan heads may affect the payments to outside forces deployed in Delhi for maintaining law and order resulting in huge arrears.

"Reduction of budget in BE 2016-17 will also affect procurement of latest gadgets, weapons and equipment which are necessary to modernise the police force. Further, less allocation of budget in 'Minor Works' will hamper proper maintenance of buildings of Delhi Police which are already more than 25 years old and need routine maintenance," it said.
The report said less allocation will also increase the arrears on account of electricity, water charges under the head 'Office Expenses'.
"Under Plan heads, the less allocation in BE 2016-17 will affect completion of ongoing projects, starting new projects as per approved 12th Five Year Plan as well as purchase of land for new police stations or housing projects," it said.

The Committee observes that there is drastic reduction in allocation in BE 2016-17 under plan as well as non-plan heads.
"The Committee understands that these are essential components to run and modernise any police force. In view of this, the Committee, while expressing its deep concern over this drastic reduction, recommends that this should be addressed at Revised Estimates stage otherwise this reduction would have adverse impact on functioning of Delhi Police," it noted.
The Panel said the Home Ministry has submitted that the less allocation of budget in BE 2016-17 should be reconsidered for smooth functioning of Delhi Police.