PANJIM: Following Finance Ministry’s decision to drastically cut the budgetary allocation to the State security agencies, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has admitted that the decision to slash central funding has hit the combat capability in various States including the coastal state like Goa.
In a bid to tighten the coastal security, the Union Government has sanctioned four special boats costing Rs 4 cr each to Goa.
“We have constraint as far as resources to State police and security agencies are concerned. There is total underfunding to the State police and security agencies, after cut in Central share,” Rijiju told media persons responding to a question on the ill-equipped State Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The minister said that the Home Ministry has moved a proposal to the Finance Ministry to provide enhanced funding to State police for modernization, as it would hit plans to modernize the forensics and investigative skills of the security forces.
Speaking about the coastal security, Rijiju said that his ministry has adopted a robust security system for the coastal states to tackle the increasing threat through sea. “Earlier the coastal states were known for their safety. But after the threats through sea, we realized the need to increase the coastal security,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rijiju said that the Centre would seriously deal with the issue of ISIS propaganda video which has threatened to take revenge against India. “By and large, Indian society is not subscribed to such violent ideology. Even Muslim leadership has strongly condemned ISIS move to lure Indian Muslim youth,” he said adding that “it is a very small section of the community that is carried away by such moves.”
“We assure that we will deal with this very seriously and action would be initiated,” he said.
Responding to a question on Malegao blast, the minister said that the investigation in Malegao blast was dramatic kind of act created by the Congress party.
“It was dramatic kind of act created by the Congress party. We would not like to interfere in the investigation,” he said.
“This is a complete Congress game plan to create communal divide in the country,” the minister commented referring to prosecution in Malegao blast case.
