Press Release Maharashtra Information Centre New Delhi Date: 1st February, 2011 Centre Should Provide Extension To Maharashtra Police Modernization Plan - Prithviraj Chavan sNew Delhi, Feb.1: Considering the rapid increase in Maharashtra’s Urbanization, people-friendly Police Force is the need of the hour. For this, a Police Force befitting the surroundings is necessary. The Police Modernization Plan initiated by Government of India since last ten years need to be continued for the coming decade, urged the Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan. For this, the support from the GoI in the form of continuing Police Modernization Plan and expedition of Modern Weapons and Equipment availability is needed, said Chavan in the Conference at Vigyan Bhavan here today. A Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security was held, in which the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh presided over the Chair. Sharing the dais were Union Home Minister P.Chidambaram, Union Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, Union Defence Minister, A.K.Antony, Union Ministers of State for Home Affairs Mullapally Ramachandran and Gurudas Kamat. All the States Chief Ministers Union Territory’s Administrators, Lt. Governors and officers from Central and State Governments were present. Maharashtra’s Home Minister, R.R. Patil and Chief Secretary Ratnakar Gaikwad were also present. In his brief but darted speech, Chavan touched the issues of the possible coastal terrorists eventualities from the West coast to the Naxal affected districts in the East. informed about Slew of Security Measures taken to counter terrorism in case of eventualities in the State. Informing on additional recruitment in the Police force, Chaven said that the State has added 14395 Policemen and 1109 Officers in 2010. To counter Naxal menace in Gadchiroli, the State has specially added 2355 Officers to strengthen its Police. The Chief Minister informed about the establishment of ‘Alpha Hawks Academy’ at Nagpur. This Academy would be operational by 2011-12 and would provide for specialized training to Police in Naxal operations and Jungle Warfare. In Pune, Chavan informed, Maharashtra Intelligence Academy has been established to train officers and security men and intelligence modules. He further informed that the Government has decided to fill directly 50% posts of Assistance Intelligence Officers and State Intelligence Officers. 66 District Computer Training Centres have come up to impart training to Police in the use of Crime & Criminal Track Network System. Shri. Chavan also informed about the slew of measures initiated to strengthen State Coastal Security Post 26/11 attacks. He informed that the Government has commissioned 28 boats and orders for 29 additional boats have been placed. Besides, 29 trawlers have been hired for joint Coastal Patrolling. Adequate technical and another posts required for these boats have been sanctioned and recruitment process is underway inaddition to the present posts, informed the Chief Minister. He also informed about the States decision to establish a Marine Police Training Academy at Raigarh District. A post of I.G. Coastal Security has been created for better coordination and control of Coastal Police Stations Informing further, Chavan said under the Coastal Security Scheme Phase-II, proposal for establishing 7 Police Stations, procuring 14 twelve tonne boats and building 3 Jetties have been approved by the Centre. 75,558 Smart Cards to fishermen and 22946 vessels and 1434 non- fishing have been registered. Drawing the attention to some of the issues that needed immediate support and financial support from the Centre, Chavan urged for providing funds to enhance the capacity of State Police Force Informing about the Scheme for Modernization of State Police Force which has been immensely useful to the State, Chavan sought GoI’s support to State for continuing the Police Modernization Plan for next 10 years and expedite availability of Modern Weapons, Equipment and Funds. He urged the Centre to appoint Special Police Officers. Members of Gram Suraksha and Sagar Rakshak Dal can be engaged for this purpose, informed Chavan. He requested GoI for appointment of atleast 3 Special Police Officers for round the clock vigil to safeguard 887 coastal villages. Shri Chavan requested for Central funding assistance of Rs 22 cr to complete and commission the Alpha Hawks Training Academy at Nagpur. The Chief Minister said, though the state has allocated Rs 16 cr for procuring mine protected vehicles, but GoI’s help will be required in getting these vehicles on priority. Informing about state government’s sanction of Rs 3.25 cr to procure Under Barrel Grenade, Chavan sought Centre’s assistance to help expediting its delivery at the earliest. In order to man the naxalite districts aerially, Chavan requested for Helicopters to be stationed at Nagpur. The Chief Minister underlined the most important issue of No-Mobile connectivity between Security forces deployed in Gadchiroli. In order that a number of Central Para Military Forces as well as State Reserve Police deployed in different parts of the district can communicate with district administration and their families, Chavan urged GoI to direct BSNL to establish transmission towers using USO funds. ******* .