In a first, MHA budgetary provision crosses Rs 1 lakh crore

Smita Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, February 1

Prime Narendra Modi’s government in its last Budget on Friday has allocated Rs 1,03,927 crore for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)—4.9 per cent more than the previous budget allocation.  

This is reportedly the first time that the MHA budgetary allocation has surpassed Rs. 1 lakh crore with a focus on modernisation of police reforms.  The ministry’s expenditure post the revised estimates for 2018-2019 stand at Rs 99,034 crore.

Of the entire allocation for 2019-2010, Rs 3,378 crore has been earmarked towards modernisation of police forces, Rs 5,117 crore for police infrastructure, such as barracks and residential quarters, among other things, against the revised estimate of Rs 4,836 crore in 2018-2019. Amid tense relations with Pakistan and volatile ties with China, Rs 2,000 crore has been marked for border infrastructure and management, and allocation for border area development programme has been raised to Rs 825 crore from Rs 771 crore for the previous year. The Budget has also allocated Rs 809 crore has been allocated towards relief and rehabilitation for migrants and repatriates against the revised estimate for 2018-2019 at Rs 1,048 crore. While slight increase has been done for National Intelligence Grid (50.82 cr).

Of the central forces, budget for the Sashastra Seema Bal saw nearly Rs 500 crore increase compared to budgetary allocation for 2018-2019, with Rs 5,817.21 crore earmarked for this year. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) engaged in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast and also deployed for internal security assignments, has been allocated Rs 23,742.04 crore for 2019-20, with 22,646.63 crore spent last year. As the country gears up for Lok Sabha polls, the Intelligence Bureau tasked with gathering internal intelligence, has been allocated Rs 2,198.35, nearly 10 per cent more than Rs 1876.44 crore in 2018-2019(RE 2056.05 cr). While the SPG (Special Protection Group) responsible for security of PM,  former prime ministers and their close family members, has been allocated Rs 530.75 crore increased from 385 crore allocated in previous fiscal (Revised Estimate: Rs 411.68 crore) . 

“On the one hand, this budget is focused on supporting social infrastructure of our country and on the other hand it pays great attention to strengthening the economic infrastructure. Sectors like defence, agriculture, industry, education and health have been given a big boost,” tweeted Home Minister Rajnath Singh calling it a historic budget.

The MHA budget also includes Rs 953 crore towards pension and other benefits for Freedom fighters. Interestingly, approximately 883.24 crore has been earmarked toward National Emergency Response System and Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children and Safe City Projects in 2018-2019—up from Rs 872 crore that revised estimated show were spent this year.

Among the Union Territories, Chandigarh has been allocated Rs 4,291.7 crore, including Rs 2431.8 crore towards establishment expenditure of the Centre. The highest UT allocation of Rs 4817.48 crore is to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Delhi has been allowed Rs 1,112 crore for 2019-2020 while Puducherry get Rs 1,545.00 crore. 

The Budget has earmarked Rs 10,000 crore for the National Disaster Response Force, and  Rs 10, 344 crore for the State Disaster Response Force.