House panel on home frowns at poor allocation for border infrastructure

New Delhi: The Centre should establish a forum of all states which have an international border for “interaction between heads of state-level empowered committees”, the standing committee on home affairs has recommended. The suggestion was made in the wake of reports that India may have to wage a two-front war against collusive military and nuclear allies, Pakistan and China.

India shares land boundaries with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Nepal too. It said allocations made for border infrastructure and management were low, in its report on the action the Centre has taken on recommendations of the panel. “Due to shortage of funds, construction and maintenance of bridges and roads, resurfacing works and other developmental activities get affected,” the panel said.

“We must prioritise our spending and develop infrastructure and roads so that our forces can ensure effective mobility of men and machines up to the last post of the border,” the panel suggested considering the importance of border infrastructure for border security. On the development of marine border outposts, the committee said: “It is astonishing to note that the majority of marine immigration posts lack adequate infrastructure like building, electricity, water connections, etc.”


The government in its submission to the panel said: “KPMG will carry out a study on immigration facilities at sea ports to ensure smooth movement of passengers, crew and personal luggage without compromising the safety and national security.” The House panel expressed unhappiness over the implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures for Kashmir migrants. It directed MHA officials to revisit the camps and submit a detailed status report. The MHA informed the committee on the amendments effected in the J&K Civil Services (Decentralisation and Recruitment) Act, 2010.