Coastal security gets Rs 710 crore

Underlining its strategic importance, the government on Saturday hiked allocation for coastal security by nearly five times to Rs 710 crore.

According to the Budget allocation, the Union Home Ministry will receive a Rs 560 crore hike. Last July, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had allocated only Rs 150 crore under this head though the ministry managed to spend only Rs 39.37 crore. Officials said the money would be utilised for setting up of mobile check posts in coastal areas of the country for better surveillance to check illegal activities. India has a coastline of 7,517 km.

Improving coastal security has been high on government's agenda since the 26/11 attacks. However, the project did not progress as the security establishment wanted.

In 2012-13, Rs 79.97 crore was spend on setting up of mobile check posts. In 2013-14, Rs 150 crore was allocated but the Ministry could utilise Rs 70 crore only.

The allocation of Rs 710 crore is part of Rs 68,444.10 crore allocated for the Union Home Ministry. The total allocation shows that the Ministry got a 4.1 per cent hike.
Paramilitary forces and other central police units got Rs 62,124.52 crore, an increase Rs 4,800 crore over previous allocation.

For relief and rehabilitation of Jammu and Kashmir migrants, Rs 580 crore has been allocated against Rs 342.50 crore allocated for the purpose earlier.

CRPF, the main anti-naxal force, has been allocated Rs 14,089.38 crore while BSF, which guards the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangla borders, has been given Rs 12,517.82 crore.