"Centre approves scheme of modernization of Police with outlay of Rs 4846 crore": MoS Nityanand Rai

New Delhi [India], March 11 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday in Lok Sabha said that the central government has approved a scheme of 'Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernization of Police (ASUMP)' [erstwhile scheme of Modernization of State Police Forces (MPF)] with an overall outlay of Rs 4846 crore for five years during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The MoS said that the objective of the scheme is to equip the State/UT police forces adequately through the development of relevant infrastructure.
"The focus of the scheme is to strengthen police infrastructure at cutting edge level by equipping the police stations with the required modern technology, weaponry, communication equipment etc. along with the construction of police stations in all the States/UTs," he added in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, the central Government approved the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP), as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, on 15th February 2023 for the comprehensive development of the select villages in 46 blocks abutting the northern border in 19 districts in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh.
Nityanand Rai said that 662 border villages have been identified for comprehensive development on priority under the programme.
"Under VVP, Rs. 150 crore and Rs. 209 crore have been allocated in Financial Year 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively. The States/UT being the primary implementing agency are responsible for the utilisation of funds": MoS said in a written response to Lok Sabha.
Earlier, Rai said that under the Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) a total of 49,189 scholarships have been disbursed for the wards and widows of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and State Police Personnel since its inception in 2006-07 until 2023-24.
The Minister said that a merit list of PMSS for the academic year 2024-25 will be generated after March 2025.
"Out of the total sanctioned amount of 1,39,96,72,276 (Rupees one hundred thirty-nine crores, ninety-six lakhs, seventy-two thousand, two hundred seventy-six), a total of 1,39,94,16,750 (Rupees one hundred thirty-nine crores, ninety-four lakhs, sixteen thousand, seven hundred fifty) has been disbursed till 2023-24," Rai added. (ANI)