For modernization of police force in the states, the Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee has proposed an additional amount of Rs. 430 crore over and above the provision in the interim budget.
While presenting the budget proposals for the year 2009-10 in Lok Sabha on Monday, Mukherjee stated that the government has also sanctioned special risk/hardship allowances to the personnel of para military forces at par with defence forces. provisions for payment of these allowances are also being proposed in the budget, the finance minister added.
For strengthening Border Management, the finance minister proposed an additional amount of Rs. 2,284 crore over and above the provision in the interim budget for construction of fences, roads, flood-lights on the international borders.
Keeping in view, the significant augmentation in the strength of para military forces, Mukherjee called for more investment in creating the necessary infrastructure, particularly in the area of housing. He said, the government proposed to launch a massive programme of housing to create one lakh dwelling units for Central para military forces personnel. This will not only enhance the morale of the forces, but will also enable leveraging of government’s annual budgetary resources and create an innovative financing model, the finance minister added.
UIDAI gets funding
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) set up recently by the government, will establish an online data base with identity and biometric details of Indian residence and provide enrolment and verification services across the country, said Mukherjee.
The first set of unique identity numbers will be rolled out in 12 to 18 months. A provision of Rs. 120 crore has been proposed for this project. Mukherjee stated that the setting up of the UIDAI is a major step in improving governance with regard to delivery of public services. Expressing happiness, the finance minister said that this project also marks the beginning of an era where top private sector talent in India steps forward to take the responsibility for implementing the projects of vital national importance.
