Congress attacks Badal government over modernisation of police

CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal today criticised the Parkash Singh Badal headed Punjab government for not properly utilising funds meant for the modernisation of the state police.

"Due to wasteful expenditure by Badal government, central government has stalled the releasing of grant of Rs 100 crore for modernisation of state police," Bhattal, a former chief minister, said in a statement here.

She said that the Centre's seeking of physical inspection report regarding funds meant for modernisation of state police raises serious questions about the present regime's reckless spending and diversion of central funds.

She said that the utilisation certificate submitted by state police has invited strong objections from Centre.

The state finance department showing zero utilisation of the central grant by police is a matter of concern, she said, adding that state government should clarify where the money has gone or whether it has been diverted to some other sector.

Bhattal noted that there is a pressing need for modernisation of state police keeping in view security needs of the state.

She said that the expansion of state's premier police training academy at Phillaur has been adversely impacted and the construction of buildings for modern training at both the Special Security Group (SSG) and Intelligence centre (ITNT) near Banur had been abruptly stopped due to shortage of funds.

The senior Congress leader said that state deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had made lot of noise recently on modernising of state police, including sanctioning of Rs 100 crore for the same and equipping all highways with security cameras.

"Junior Badal has the tendency to speak loud to score brownie points in order to push his own vested political interests," she said.

However, she said that no compromise should be made pertaining to modernisation of state police emphasising that security of people of state should be given added priority.