Government will continue funding for police modernisation programme: Rajnath

The 90:10 funding pattern would continue for category-A states such as Jammu and Kashmir and eight in the Northeast, the Minister asserted during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.

"After the implementation of the 14th Finance Commission, the central funding has been stopped. However, non-plan funding is continuing. "We want the states to continue with the modernisation programme as the states' share of the central tax has increased to 42 per cent after the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission," he added.

Under the scheme, states, other than those in category-A, are grouped under category B which get funding from the Centre in the ratio of 60:40 with 60 percent being the central share.

Replying to a related question, Minister of State for Home Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said there was no proposal to bring the 10 Maoist-affected states under the 90:10 funding pattern.

He added the Centre was already providing adequate support to states like Chattisgarh and other such states, providing them six helicopters, sanctioning 200 mobile towers and latest technologies to eliminate the Maoist threat.

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Home Ministry will look into AFSPA in Arunachal: Rajnath

The assurance was given by Singh when All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) delegation met the Minister at his residence in the national capital on Sunday and submitted
a memorandum to him.

Singh cited the notification regarding extension of AFSPA to nine districts other than besides Tirap, Changlang and Longding is being kept in abeyance, AAPSU added in a statement.

He urged he would discuss the issue with Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and the decision would be based on his (Rijiju's) wish and interpretation, the statement mentioned.

AAPSU president Kamta Lapung informed Singh that the strict tribal customs of Arunachal Pradesh prevent illegal activities from occurring and therefore AFSPA is not relevant in the state.

North East Students Organisation coordinator Pritam Sonam said while the people of Arunachal Pradesh are thankful to the Centre for inducting Rijiju as MoS for home affairs, it is unfortunate that AFSPA has been extended in the state after he got the portfolio.

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