CHANDIGARH: Which section of society in Punjab has witnessed maximum development during the past one decade?”
The undisputed answer will be the “police”, though many may argue whether the Police constitute a part of socicty or not.
The case of Punjab is not only one of its types in the county. Rather, it is symbolic of the unprecedented growth of the police force in the entire country.
No other government organization has witnessed such a phenomenal growth as the police and paramilitary forces during the past six years.
For example, take the case of the Central Reserve Police Force, From 71 battalions, in 1984-85, the CRPF has now more than 120 battalions, including an exclusive women’s battalion. The Border Security Force is not far behind. Its strength is almost equal to that of the CRPF.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Central Industrial Security Force and Assam Rifles, the other major paramilitary forces in the country, have also grown, though at a slower pace than the CRPF and BSF.
The total strength of these five paramilitary forces under the direct control of Ministry of Home Affairs is now in the range of 300 battalions. Besides, there are several other lesser known paramilitary forces in the country, including the Coast Guard.
Last year, the government decided to raise yet another paramilitary force at the national level called the Rashtriya Rifles, which has been deployed in Punjab.
The men in olive green uniform manning important bridges and vital installations in the state can be confused with the jawans. In reality, these men have been inducted — into the Rashtriya Rifles directly from the Army to supplement the work of the Territorial Army and other paramilitary forces in the country.
The police departments of the states and the union territories, too, have kept pace with the paramilitary forces as far as allocation of funds for modernization and increase in manpower are concerned.
With regard to the union territory of Chandigarh, the strength of the police has more than doubled ever since its creation. ‘The population has increased nearly four times.
Until 1979, the Chandigarh police was managed by an inspector-General of Police, the senior most D.S.P. would officiate as the Superintendent of Police and there were two more DSPs. Now after 11 years, there are six officers of the rank of S.P. or above, 3 DSPs. and scores of inspectors and others. Additional forces from the CRPF and BSF, at times 15 to 20 companies, remain deployed in the city. Besides, the Chandigarh police have a strong fleet of Maruti Gypsies, motor cycles and other vehicles. The Station House Officers move in private, generally requisitioned vehicles. The number of police stations in the union territory has doubled. Regular police lines, a police hospital and police training school, and new buildings for all police stations and posts have come up.
Compared to it take the case of Chandigarh treasury office. At the time of reorganization and creation of Chandigarh in 1966-67, the annual budget for the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana was R.s 7 crore. The total number of employees was 7,000. There were four divisions of the Public Works Department and one depot of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking. At that time the sanctioned staff of the treasury was 65 though only 40 posts were filled.
Now after 25 years, the number of employees in the union territory is nearly 24,000, the annual budget is R.s 300 crore; there are 47 PWD divisions; four depots of Chandigarh Transport Undertaking. The payment of road tax and other duties to the state is also through the treasury. The sale of non-judicial stamp papers total R.s 10 million a month. The numbers of drawing and disbursing offices have grown from 50 to 150 and the present strength of the staff of the Chandigarh Treasury is 30, if the police workload has increased, it has also increased for the treasury office. However, the accommodation in the treasury office has shrunk over the years. The case is no different with other departments, say Telecommunications, Posts and even the licensing branch of the Estate Office.
A comparison between the growth rate of the police department on one hand and any other department on the other would look out of place as the law-enforcing agencies have extracted the maximum from the state exchequer during the past one decade or so. The demands from the police departments are still not over.
The government now proposes to permit slate governments to raise “GOI reserves” by meeting 50% of the expenses. Each state would be allowed to raise two battalions each. Similarly, demands for better communication, more arms and ammunition, vehicles and other equipment will keep on flowing from the state headquarters to the Home Ministry for years to come. Can we afford such a strong police force?
Where the pension bill of the defense forces had been worrying financial pundits and defense experts for year together? The pension bill is now nearly 85% of the total salary of o the armed forces. The moment the demand for one rank, one pension is granted, the pension bill will exceed the salary bill. At the same time, the salary bill of the police and paramilitary forces will also surpass the defense salary bill.
The CRPF raised 20 battalions early this year. The BSF is going to follow suit. The CISF, too, started recruitment a few months ago.
The situation in the states is no different. Take the case of Punjab. Law and order has been taking up the major share of all finances, including those earmarked for development.
The state police is now headed by a Director-General of Police. There are two Additional Directors-General, more than a dozen IGs and two dozens of DIGs for a state which has 12 revenue and 15 police district.
The police department besides occupying a full floor at the Civil Secretariat building has a mini secretarial in Sector 7, besides offices scattered all over the city. It has its own housing corporation. Now it proposes to setup its own Police Housing Colony for accommodating officers high or the hit list. The police also purpose to run its own schools.
Financial experts will find it difficult to spare enough funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure created during the past one decade even if peace comes to the area.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 19, 1991
