Manipur: Govt allocates Rs 2900 crores for strengthening and supporting state police in state budget 2024-25

Guwahati: With the state facing a severe law and order crisis, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh stated that in state budget 2024-25 for strengthening and supporting State Police Rs 2900 crores are allocated adding that Centre had also approved to provide IT services in violence affected districts. Plans are afoot to install 1100 computers in violence affected districts. This will ensure that internet access is given in all violence-affected districts.

Presenting the budget on Wednesday Biren said, “What we have all seen in the past one year is nothing short of a tragedy. I strongly condemn the loss of lives, properties and livelihood which is the outcome of the loss of trust between communities. It is our collective responsibility to find an amicable solution.”

He added, “One of the casualties of the unrest is our economy. Reduced own revenue collections, increased expenditure on security and relief operations, inflation, difficulties in movement of goods and services, difficulties in implementation of projects and schemes etc. were a few of the challenges that we faced. With normalcy returning to the State, our tax the collection is showing a positive trend. I am confident that this improvement will continue during the current year. We continue to work on the economic recovery of our State. Bringing and ensuring a peaceful and secure environment, rehabilitation and support to those who are displaced, providing livelihood to those without one, providing opportunities for skilling, and investing in quality infrastructure are some of the steps that we are taking. I would like to place on record the huge assistance of the Central Government. For the past one year, the Central Government has been extending assistance to the State both in terms of fiscal resources and manpower. In order to make up for the revenue losses suffered by the State, the Central Government approved a special assistance for revenue loss of Rs. 500 crores. For this, I would like to express my gratitude to the Government of India. This was used to finance various infrastructure works taken up by the government. Further, support for security related expenditure amounting to more than Rs. 150 crore was received.”

The chief minister added, “ Since the outbreak of the unrest, both the Central and State governments have been working tirelessly. As a special measure, the Central government approved a relief package of Rs.101.75 crores as a one-time special assistance for operation of relief camps for people displaced due to the violence in the State. Another package of Rs. 209.45 crores were also approved for running schemes of relief and rehabilitation and rehabilitation of victims/persons affected by ongoing law and order. Scheme for providing temporary shelter to displaced families for 3000 shelters were approved by the Central government for Rs. 145.18 crore. Another scheme approved by the Central government is the Scheme for compensatory packages for farmers. Under this scheme, an amount of Rs. 38.60 crore has been approved and an amount of Rs. 18.91 crore has been released till date. This amount has been released to the total number of 3483 farmers as on date.”

The budget stated the Central Government had also approved to provide IT services in violence affected districts. Plans are afoot to invest Rs. 11.00 crore and install 1100 computers in violence affected districts at the cost of Rs.1 lakh per node. This will ensure that internet access is given in all violence-affected districts. These centres would serve as internet access points and computer based exam centres. Further, to ameliorate the living conditions of the relief camps inmates, TV sets have been provided to relief camps at the cost of Rs. 3.35 crore.He added, “ To protect our Police Personnel in their line of duty, mainly in vulnerable areas we had procured 40 Bulletproof Light Motor Vehicles which has improved the mobility of Police in maintaining law and order. For the first time, we had also procured 10 Mine Protected Vehicles, which is not used commonly by State Police in the country. This heavily armoured vehicle has helped our State Police in accessing highly vulnerable areas and dominating those areas. Apart from this we had procured a variety of weapons and ammunition to meet ever increasing challenges. Overall in the past year we had spent about Rs. 80 crores on vehicles and arms with ammunition for our State Police.We also continue to focus on infrastructure for the Police, including Police Outposts, Police Stations, Housing etc. which will provide Police presence in new areas and also provide accommodation for our Police Personnel. A comprehensive package for Strengthening of State Police, including aspects of mobility, arms, infrastructure, training etc has been submitted to the Central Government and I am confident that it will be approved.In this budget we are continuing our allocation for strengthening and supporting our State Police in every possible manner, with the Demand having an allocation of more than Rs. 2900 crores.”He added “, my government has always ensured that our hill areas get the full benefit of development. Apart from funding provided under various schemes of different Departments, under the Demand for Tribal Affairs and Hills an allocation of Rs. 919 crores has been provided”.

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