Coastal Security Scheme (Phase-II) formulated to strengthen the coastal security of the country in consultation with Coast Guard and concerned coastal States and Union Territories, has been approved by the Government for implementation in all the nine coastal States and four Union Territories for a period of 5 years from 1st April, 2011.
The ongoing Coastal Security Scheme, aimed at enhancing coastal vigilance by strengthening infrastructure for patrolling and surveillance of the coastal areas, is being implemented in the nine coastal states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and four Union Territories of Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Puducherry and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
According to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mullappally Ramachandran, “The scheme has been extended till March 2011, with an additional non-recurring outlay of Rs. 95 crore (approximate), by the government in June, 2010. Under the Coastal Security Scheme, 73 coastal police stations are to be set up, equipped with 204 boats, 153 jeeps and 312 motorcycles for mobility on the coast and in close coastal waters.”
A lump sum assistance of Rs. 10 lakh per coastal police station is also provided for equipment, computers and furniture, etc. Out of these 73 Coastal Police Stations, 71 Coastal Police Stations have been made operational, he said.
Coastal Security Scheme (Phase-II) formulated to strengthen the coastal security of the country in consultation with Coast Guard and concerned coastal States and Union Territories, has been approved by the Government for implementation in all the nine coastal States and four Union Territories for a period of 5 years from 1st April, 2011.
Altogether, 131 Coastal Police Stations have been approved in the Coastal Security Scheme (Phase-II), to be equipped with 180 boats, 131 four-wheelers and 242 motor cycles. A lump sum assistance of Rs. 15 lakh per Coastal Police Stations (CPS) will be provided for equipments, computer and furniture, etc, Ramachandran added.
Action Plan for LWE Affected Regions
An Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for 60 selected tribal and backward districts, inter-alia, including 48 left wing extremist (LWE) affected districts has been approved on 25th November 2010 and its implementation is underway, said the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Gurudas Kamat.
According to Kamat, “The districts covered under IAP have been provided a block grant of Rs. 25 crore in 2010-11 and Rs. 30 crore per district will be provided during 2011-12. A committee headed by District Collector and consisting of the Superintendent of Police and the District Forest Officer will be responsible for implementation of the scheme. The District level Committee will have the flexibility to spend the amount for development schemes according to need as assessed by it.”
The District level Committee is to draw up a plan consisting of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services such as school buildings, Anganwadi Centres, Primary Health Centres, Drinking Water Supply, Village Roads, Electric lights in public places such as PHCs and schools etc. The schemes so selected should show results in the short term.
The expenditure on these projects should be over and above the expenditure being incurred for the regular State/Central/Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The Committee should ensure that there is no duplication of expenditure on the same project. The expenditure should be incurred as per the existing Financial Guidelines/Rules of the State Government.
In order to ensure that there is strict adherence to the guidelines, the Development Commissioner/equivalent Officer in charge of development of the State is responsible for scrutiny of expenditure and monitoring of the IAP. Further, macro-level monitoring of the IAP is to be carried out by a committee headed by the Member-Secretary, Planning Commission, Kamat added.
Identity Cards to Coastal Villagers
The government has chalked out a plan for issue of identity cards to the inhabitants of coastal villages of the country, said Kamat.
As one of the measures to strengthen coastal security, creation of National Population Register (NPR) for the 3331 coastal villages in all the 9 Maritime States, namely, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal and 4 Union Territories (UTs), namely, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Pudducherry had been undertaken ahead of creation on NPR in the country. Identity (smart) cards would be issued to the ‘usual residents’ of these villages who are of age 18 years and above in these villages/towns.
Kamat stated, “The data has been collected directly on the laptop in these areas. As on date, the biographic details of more than 120 lakh persons and biometric details of more than 70 lakh persons have been collected. The draft Local Register of Usual Residents (LRUR) has been displayed in the local areas for inviting claims/objections. Design of identity (smart) card has been finalized and steps have been initiated for production and personalization of identity (smart) cards for these areas.”
