MHA projects 3.5 lakh crore security budget for 2020-25

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has projected a budgetary requirement of around Rs 3.5 lakh crore during 2020-25 before the 15th Finance Commission for internal security, paramilitary forces, police modernization and border security among others.

This was conveyed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission N K Singh here recently, an official statement has said. Singh along with Ministers of State Hansraj Gangaram Ahir and Kiren Rijiju, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and senior MHA had met Finance Commission Chairman N K Singh on Friday.

While a detailed memorandum will be submitted to the Finance Commission, the MHA told the chairman that their budgetary requirement for internal security, central armed police forces, police modernisation, border security, disaster management and Union Territories would be around Rs 3.5 lakh crore for the period 2020-2025.

In its presentation, the MHA said its responsibilities have "increased manifold" in meeting the diverse and varied internal security challenges though public order and police are constitutional responsibilities of states. "The capabilities of states alone are not adequate to meet the threats of insurgency and terrorism which have national and international links," it said.

The Home Minister said the MHA also has other challenges that include – improving the sense of security amongst the public, making vulnerable sections such as women and children safer, improving the effectiveness of police, meeting cyber threats, providing immediate relief and rehabilitation during natural disasters etc.

Due to concerted and coordinated efforts of the Central government and states, Singh underlined there has been a significant and steady improvement in the overall security situation in the hinterland, in the north-eastern states and in the areas affected by Naxalism. "But relentless efforts are needed to be made continuously in order to consolidate the gains and spread successes in the new areas," he added.