Lok Sabha Question No. 395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-19
Subject: Strengthening of Criminal Justice System
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pallab Lochan Das

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 395

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  JULY, 2022/ASHADHA 28, 1944 (SAKA)

STRENGTHENING OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

395.  SHRI PALLAB LOCHAN DAS:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of steps taken by the Government for modernisation of policing for internal security, law and order, especially in Northeast and Assam;

(b)  the  funds  allocated  by  the  Government  for  strengthening  the  criminal justice system;

(c) whether it is a fact that violence by Maoists groups or left-wing extremist are  declining  since  the  implementation  of  National  Policy  and  Action  Plan; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.  State Governments are primarily responsible for modernisation  of  their  police  forces.  However,  the  Government  of  India supplements  the  efforts  of  the  State  Governments  towards  equipping  and modernizing  of  their  police  forces,  through  the  scheme  of  'Assistance  to States  for  Modernisation  of  Police'  [erstwhile  scheme  of  Modernisation  of Police Forces (MPF)].

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 395 FOR 19.07.2022

Under this scheme, the States are provided central assistance for acquisition of advanced  weaponry  such  as  latest  rifles, all types  of intelligence equipment including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),  Night Vision Devices (NVDs),  CCTV  surveillance  systems  &  body  worn  camera  systems;  modern communication  equipment  and  state-of-the-art  equipment  for    security, training,  forensics,  cybercrime,  traffic  policing,  etc.  Further,  'construction' and 'purchase of operational vehicles' are also permitted in the insurgency affected  north-eastern  States  and  Left  Wing  Extremism  (LWE)  affected districts.  Moreover, construction of police station buildings is allowed to all States and UTs from the current financial year.

Besides,  for  insurgency  affected  North  Eastern  (NE)  States,  including Assam, under the scheme  of Security Related Expenditure(SRE), the reimbursement of expenditure incurred by these States on security related items  is  done.  These  items  include,  special  training  to  State  police  and prison  administration  personnel  for    counter  insurgency  (CI)    capabilities, raising of India Reserve (IR) battalions, logistics provided to Central Armed Police  Forces  (CAPFs)  /Army  units  deployed  in  these  States  for  internal security duties and CI operations, ex gratia grants and gratuitous relief to the victims of  extremist violence, part expenditure incurred on petrol,  oil and lubricants  (POL)  in  operations,  honorarium  paid  to  Village    Guard/Village Defence Committee/Home Guards deployed for  security purposes etc.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 395 FOR 19.07.2022

- (b)      The  Government  of  India  has  approved  implementation  of  the  InterOperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) project which aims at integration of various  pillars  of  criminal  justice  system  such  as  Police,  Court,  Forensic, Prosecution,  Prison  etc.  and  also  integration  of  ICJS  database  with  other government databases. The approved cost of the project for implementation during the period from 2022-23 upto 2025-26 is Rs. 3375.00 crore.

(c) and (d) Yes, Sir. The resolute implementation of the National Policy and Action Plan by the Government has resulted in improvement in the control of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) scenario across the country. The last six years have seen a significant decline in LWE violence as well as the geographical spread of LWE. There has been an overall 53.26% reduction, i.e., from 1089 to 509, in violence incidents and 36.09% reduction, i.e. from 230 to 147, in LWE deaths in the year 2021 as compared to the  year 2015.

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