April - June 2010 - Bureau of Police Research and Development

e overcome and citizens forums and civil societyshould be incorporated and encouraged to provideclues, warnings and assistance in the investigationprocess.The US earmarks about US $500 billion annually fordefense, home security and preventing terrorism,which accounts for 20 percent of the US federalbudget. The defense budget increased by one-third,or over $100 billion, from 2001 to 2003 in responseto the heightened threat of terrorism - an increaseequivalent to 0.7 per cent of US GDP. Expenditureson defense and security are essential for any nation,but, of course, they also come with an opportunitycost; those resources are not available for othersectors. (Krugman, 2004) .The expenditure on policeas percentage of GDP are Rs.5899 Cr. Rs. 6831 Cr.and Rs. 7381 Cr. which comes around, 0.51, 0.57and 0.58 as per 1999-00,00-01 and 01-02respectively (GOM, 2003).Police and laws order are subjects within the purviewof the State List. It is, therefore, the responsibility ofthe states to provide funds for these requirements. Acentrally sponsored scheme for modernisation ofpolice forces has been implemented in the statewith a 50 percent grant and 50 percent loan. Theamount has to be spent on prescribed items such asmobility, communications, scientific aids toinvestigation, and crowd control equipment.Statewise allocation is based on "population,sanctioned strength of police, number of policestations and crime per lakh population. The schemeis funded equally by the Centre and the Stateconcerned. It has been observed that the centralfunds are not being used by a number of states dueto a lack of matching funds from the state budget.The budget of the police department is under severestrain and there are shocking news reports thatpolice do not have funds even to purchase petrol fortheir vehicles (Godbole, 1999). When we can spendon other developmental activities such as flyovers,Budgetary Allocation for Prevention of CrimeA Flawed Model for Developmentdams, SEZ's in 'national interest', surely the policeforce does need to be given a higher priority becausewithout law and order, there can be no economicdevelopment.Emerging IssuesPeople want good policing and security. When welook for safety, we look for men in uniform. If policehave to fear for their life, how will they protect thepeople and the system? Is it necessary to haveeconomic budget allocation for police and qualityarmoured vehicle to provide protection duringemergency operations? National security budgetinghas to be given priority. There needs to be aparadigm shift in allocation of money in this regard.The realization that the government was incapableof providing security devices to police officialsinspite of protecting this commercial capital withtheir better police leadership has literally shakenup Mumbai.ReferenceBusiness Line, Mumbai Attacks add to air careerswoes, page 1 land Mumbai Attacks strikes take tollon Goa tourism sector, page 4, 30/11/08Godbole, Madhav, 1999, Mirage of reforms,Policespeak, A symposium on the role of police inour society www.india-seminar.comGovernment of Maharashtra, 2003, Economic Surveyof Maharashtra, 2002-03, MumbaiHindustan Times, 2008, 3 December, p3Krugman Paul, 2004, The Costs of Terrorism: WhatDo We Know?" presented at Princeton University inDecember.Mumbai Mirror, 2008, 28 November, p.3, p.7, p.10,p.29.National Crime Records Bureau,2008, StatisticalAbstract India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.The budget of thepolice needs to begiven a higher priority.The process ofeconomic liberalisationand globalisation set inmotion cannot becarried forward, if lawand order is notmaintained.The Indian Police Journal Vol. LVII-No. 2, April-June, 2010 61➢