Lok Sabha Question No. 2346 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-09
Subject: Modernization of Police Force
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sanjeev Kumar Singari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2346

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 09 TH  MARCH, 2021/ PHALGUNA 18, 1942 (SAKA)

MODERNIZATION OF POLICE FORCE

2346. DR. SANJEEV KUMAR SINGARI:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  for  modernisation  of  police force from the time of Supreme Court Judgement in 2006;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the total number of IPS officers punished for excesses while discharging their duty, State-wise; and

(d)  the  steps/measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  insulate  police  from political pressure?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)&(b): Modernisation of police forces is a continuous and ongoing process. 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. However, to supplement the efforts of the States for equipping and modernizing their police forces, the scheme of Modernisation of  Police  Forces  (MPF)  is under implementation since 1969-70. Since 2017 the  scheme  has  been  revised  as  'Assistance  to States for Modernisation

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2346 FOR 09.03.2021

of   Police'.  Under   this  scheme,  the  States  have  been  provided  central assistance for acquisition of advanced weaponry such as INSAS Rifles & AK series rifles; all types of intelligence equipment including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs),  Night Vision Devices (NVDs), CCTV Surveillance system & body worn camera systems; modern communication equipment and state-ofthe-art  equipment  for    security  /  training  /  forensics  /  cybercrime  /  traffic policing.  Further,  'construction'  and  'purchase  of  operational  vehicles'  is permitted  in  the  insurgency  affected  north-eastern  States  and  Left  Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.

(c):  No data is maintained centrally for 'IPS officers punished for excesses while discharging their duty'. However ten IPS officers have been punished for misconduct during the last 2 years, i.e., during 2019-20 and 2020-21.

(d):It is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations  to  ensure  efficient  functioning  of  their  Police  forces.  The Centre also issues advisories to the States to bring in the requisite Police reforms  to  meet  the  expectations  of  the  people.  Further,  there  are  seven directions of the Supreme Court of India pronounced in Prakash Singh case in  2006  pertaining  to police reforms. These directions included a minimum

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 2346 FOR 09.03.2021

tenure of at least two years of the Director General of Police irrespective of his  date  of  superannuation,  minimum  tenure  of  two  years  to  the  police officers  on  operational  duties  and  setting  up  of  a  Police  Establishment Boards  at  the  State  level  for inter  alia  deciding  all  transfers,  postings, promotions and other service related matters of officers of and below the rank  of  Deputy  Superintendent  of  Police.  These  directions  are  to  be implemented by respective State Governments.

*****