Home ministry outlay hiked by 15 percent

New Delhi, July 10 (IANS) The home ministry was Thursday allocated Rs.65,745 crore in the 2014-15 budget, marking a 15 percent increase over revised budget estimates of the last fiscal.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in his budget speech, said the scheme for modernisation of state police forces would be reviewed.

"I propose to enhance the allocation (for modernisation of state police) from a sum of Rs.1,847 crore (Rs.18.47 billion) in the budget estimates of 2013-14 to Rs.3,000 crore (Rs.30 billion) in the current financial year," he said.

Jaitley said Rs.2,250 crore (Rs.22.5 billion) has been set aside to strengthen and modernise border infrastructure.

"In addition, a sum of Rs.990 crore (Rs.9.9 billion) has been allocated for socio-economic development of villages along the border," he said.

Jaitley said Rs.150 crore (Rs.1.5 billion) has been earmarked for the construction of marine police stations and jetties and for purchasing boats.

He also announced the construction of a befitting national police memorial and proposed Rs.50 crore (Rs.0.5 billion) for the purpose in the current financial year.

He said adequate funds have been allocated for carrying developmental activities in Maoist-affected districts.

The minister earmarked Rs.150 crore (Rs.1.5 billion) on a scheme to increase the safety of women in large cities.

"It is also proposed to set up 'Crisis Management Centres' in all districts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi this year in all government and private hospitals. The funding will be provided from the Nirbhaya Fund," Jaitley said.

The home ministry was given Rs.56,914 crore (Rs.569.14 billion) in the revised estimates for 2013-14.

Police and paramilitary forces got a hike of over Rs.8,000 crore (Rs.80 billion) in the outlay over the revised budget estimates.

The budget hiked allocation for some paramilitary forces including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Force (BSF).