Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister and Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State were briefed on the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the modernisation of CAPFs and Police Forces in the country. Senior Officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted the immense contribution made by the CAPFs in internal security as well as border guarding duties in the country. The challenges being faced by the CAPFs which need to be addressed on priority were also discussed. The Home Minister reviewed the raising plan of the forces along with the vacancy position in each Force. Shri Rajnath Singh emphasized that steps should be taken for time bound raising and recruitment of the Forces. Some of the core challenges and issues like housing, enhancement of allowances for CAPFs especially in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, rotational training in CAPFs because of the overstretching of the forces were also highlighted and discussed in the meeting.
Rajnath Singh desired to pursue the proposal of 35 additional Indian Reserve Battalions to help the state governments in fighting the menace of Left Wing Extremism, insurgency especially in LWE and North Eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir. The Home Minister appreciated the proposal on setting up the CAPF Institute of Medical Sciences and desired that it should be completed in a time bound manner on priority. Shri Rajnath Singh desired to take up the issue of enhancing of number of scholarships to the wards of the CAPFs personnel with the Prime Minster under the welfare schemes of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Police reforms and reports of Police Commissions were discussed in the meeting. The Home Minister asked the officers to ensure that the best quality of training and equipment is provided to the CAPFs and Police personnel. He also asked the Ministry to take up with the Ministry of Finance, a proposal for the doubling of the budget allocation of police modernization of Rs.1500 crore during the current financial year.