Punjab budget focuses on modernization of police force, counterintelligence, war on gangster menace

Punjab government has made a budgetary allocation of Rs 10,523 crore for the police force to combat the growing threat from gangsters as well as strengthen its counter-intelligence wing amid opposition attack on the state over poor law and order situation. .

Announcing the budget, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the government had proposed Rs 40 crore to buy equipment to strengthen the counter-intelligence grid in the state. Along with this, a provision of Rs 64 crore is proposed for the modernization of the police force. The state government has allocated Rs 10,523 crore for the Punjab Police in 2023-24, an increase of 11 per cent over the previous financial year.

To strengthen the infrastructure in the border districts, Rs 40 crore has been proposed for installation of CCTV cameras close to the international border, adequate illumination and purchase of high-end vehicles for mobility. The state government has proposed Rs 30 crore to deal with cyber criminals, apart from this Rs 33 crore has been allocated for purchase of land for police lines and police stations and Rs 10 crore for renovation. In addition, a special assistance of Rs 26 crore has been proposed to assist the Police Housing Corporation to repay the loan taken from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited.

The Punjab Police has failed to contain the recent rising gangster and anti-national activities, especially the incident by supporters of Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh at Ajnala Police Station. Top police officials have repeatedly complained of inadequate logistics to counter the growing threats from gangsters and terror groups. The state has also seen a sharp increase in arms infiltration by drones across the border. Punjab has also sought the help of central agencies to counter the growing threats from across the border.

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