Demand of One Rank One Pension by paramilitary forces

Demand of One Rank One Pension by paramilitary forces 

There have been some requests demanding One Rank One Pension on the line of demand in Defence Forces. There is no proposal under consideration of the Ministry on the issue. 


Proposals regarding granting of Para Military Service pay and enhancement of casual leave at par with Army have been received in this Ministry. The same have been referred to the 7th Central Pay Commission for consideration. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Smt. Rajani Patil and Shri A.K. Selvaraj in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****
Removal of SBI from the list of authorized banks to disburse freedom fighters pension 

The Government has decided to transfer accounts of Central Freedom Fighter Pensioners from State Bank of India to other banks – authorized for the purpose, for disbursal of Central Freedom Fighter Pension due to certain irregularities on the part of SBI like paying pension to more than 3,000 dead pensioners for many years after their death, payment of wrong amount of pension to many pensioners, delayed payment of revised Dearness Relief, loss of more than 1,100 original disburser’s portion of PPOs. On account of these irregularities more than Rs.16 crore has already been recovered from State Bank of India. In order to avoid any hardship to the pensioners, they have been advised to open account in any bank of their choice, from the authorized banks for the purpose and the banks have also been advised to approach such pensioners and open their accounts on priority by 30.06.2015. In respect of those pensioners, who have not opened new account in other banks till 30.06.2015, the SBI will continue to disburse their pension so that the pensioners may not face any hardship. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri T. Rathinavel in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****

Non-allocation of funds for CCTNS 

In the current year budget allocation to the Union Home Ministry, for CCTNS project, only Rs. 23 crores have been allocated for Union Territories. However, no funds have been allocated for the States. 

The project implementation has commenced in most of the States/UTs. About 72 percent of Police Stations are generating FIR in the system. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri T. Rathinavel in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****
Shortage of Personnel in ITBP 

There is no shortage of personnel in Indo-Tibetan Border Police to man the 3,488 Km. long border with China stretching from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. However, there are some routine vacancies arising due to retirements, resignations, new raising etc. Timely action is taken to fill up the vacancies by direct recruitment, by promotion or by deputation as per the Recruitment Rules. 

At present, there is no proposal from ITBP to enhance its reserves in the Ladakh Sector or the deployment of additional personnel along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the aforesaid sector. However, in 2011, Government has approved raising of 13 additional Battalions, 35 additional Border out Posts and enhanced the strength of the ITBP Battalions from 04 coy to 06 coy. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri Ravi Prakash Verma in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****
Socio-Economic Caste Census 

Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011 is being carried out by all the States/Union Territories of India with the financial and technical support of the Government of India. The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHUPA) are the nodal Ministries in the Government of India for this combined exercise in rural and urban areas respectively. The Office of Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India is rendering technical support. The SECC-2011 field enumeration is complete. However, caste data enumerated in SECC 2011 are not yet finalized. Central Government has constituted an Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Shri Arvind Panagariya, Vice-Chairperson, NITI AAYOG, to classify the Caste names mentioned in the Socio Economic and Caste Census, 2011. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri Vishambhar Prasad Nishad and Smt. Kanak Lata Singh in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****
Amendment in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act 

The acceptance and utilization of foreign contribution is regulated under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rule, 2011 (FCRR) framed thereunder. They provide for procedure to grant registration and prior permission for receipt of foreign contribution and its utilization, maintenance of accounts, inspection of accounts of the association, etc. They also prescribe various offences and penalties that may be imposed, including suspension and cancellation of registration in case of violation of the provisions of FCRA and FCRR. 

Action has been taken against NGOs only when instances of non- Governmental Organisations violating provisions of the FCRA and FCRR have come to Government’s notice. FCRA and FCRR came into force with effect from 01.05.2011. Since then, notices were issued to around 21,000 associations in 2011 and to 10,343 associations in 2014 for not filing annual returns continuously for three years. Consequently, registration of 4,138 associations was cancelled in July 2012 and of 10,117 in March 2015 after issue of Show Cause Notices to such associations and giving them adequate opportunity. After inspections and scrutiny of accounts, 15 cases were referred to CBI and 10 to State Police for further investigation and prosecution. Accounts of 23 associations have been frozen. 20 associations have been prohibited from receiving foreign contribution. In 2014, penalty amounting to Rs.5,20,82,031/- has been imposed on 341 associations for late/ non-submission of mandatory annual returns and of Rs. 51,99,526/- on 24 associations for receipt and utilization of foreign contribution without obtaining registration of prior permission under the FCRA. 

There is no proposal to amend the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri Anand Sharma in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****
Displacement of Rohingya Tribes 

Approximately 10,500 Rohingya Muslims have taken shelter in India and are staying in J&K, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Manipur. 

One arrest of a Rohingya Muslim has been made by the National Investigation Agency from Hyderabad in connection with Burdwan blast case. A close watch is maintained over the Rohingyas who are generally living in makeshift camps. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivajirao in the Lok Sabha. 

****
Displacement of People 

Due to ethnic tension between Reang tribals and Mizos, about 30,000 Reang (Bru) people (about 5,000 families) from Western Mizoram migrated from October 1997 onwards. The Bru migrants are sheltered in the six relief camps set up in Kanchanpur and Panisagar Sub-divisions of North Tripura. 

The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken measures to repatriate the Bru Refugees to their homes in Mizoram in a phased manner. The Ministry of Home Affairs is extending financial as well as other logistical assistance to both the State Governments of Mizoram and Tripura for their repatriation and resettlement. The repatriation and resettlement process started in November, 2010 and as on date about 1,622 Bru families (8,573 persons) have been repatriated and resettled in Mizoram. A Detailed Action Plan 2015-Road Map has been prepared by the Government of Mizoram for repatriation of all the remaining Bru (Reang) families to Mizoram. 

Ministry of Home Affairs has released approx. Rs. 246 crore to the Government of Tripura since 1997-98 for maintenance of Brus lodged in various relief camps and approx. Rs. 45 crore to Government of Mizoram since 2004-05 for disbursement to Bru migrant families for their rehabilitation in Mizoram. Further, various confidence building measures have been undertaken to instill a sense of security and to remove apprehensions among Brus for their early repatriation to Mizoram. The issue of Bru repatriation & rehabilitation is subjudice in the Supreme Court of India. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri M.Chandrakasi in the Lok Sabha. 

****
Yoga for CAPF Personnel 

Instructions have been issued to CAPFs vide UO No. MHA/Yoga/Pers-Coord/2015/1253-69 dated 26.05.2015 to incorporate Yoga as part of daily physical exercise in various field establishments and submit compliance accordingly. 

CAPFs have submitted compliance to this effect. 

It would be appropriate to incorporate Yoga as a part of daily routine of paramilitary personnel. This will also help the paramilitary personnel to beat their stress, if any, and keep them physically as well as mentally better off. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri Ashok Shankarrao Chavan and Shri Jose K. Mani in the Lok Sabha. 

****
Transfer of CRPF Land 

Government has approved exchange of 2.3 hectares land belonging to CRPF with Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) in lieu of an equal land for development of a Multi-Modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur. Order for the transfer of land has been issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on 14.5.2015. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Dr. Kirit Somaiya in the Lok Sabha. 

****
Second phase of scheme of modernization of prisons 

‘Prisons’ is a State subject under List II of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution and, therefore, prison administration is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments. However, to consolidate the gains of the first phase of modernization of prisons scheme which ended on 31.3.2009, a follow up scheme known as the second phase of modernization of prisons was considered by the Government of India for which proposals from States/UTs were received. As no funds have been earmarked for the scheme, the second phase of Prison Modernisation Scheme has not been launched. 

However, a consolidated Memorandum was submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Fourteenth Finance Commission for consideration which included the demands projected by the States/UTs amounting to Rs. 13,962.60 crore for prison reforms in the second phase of modernization of prisons. The 14th Finance Commission has observed that in view of the improved outlay for States now, there is appropriate fiscal space to provide for additional expenditure needed for their requirements. The 14th Finance Commission has not made any specific fund allocation in favour of Central Government for this purpose. Therefore, with appropriate prioritization, the States/UTs should be able to meet the proposed expenditure on modernisation of jails. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri Ahmed Patel in the Rajya Sabha today. 

****

Expenditure on VIP security 

Security cover is provided to individuals by virtue of the posts held by them viz. the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Chief Justice/Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, Speakers of the Lok Sabha and their counterparts in the State Government set-up and some senior Government functionaries dealing with sensitive subjects having a bearing on national security. Security cover is also provided to an individual on the basis of comprehensive ‘assessment-of-threat’ carried out by the security agencies. 

Since ‘Law and Order’ is a State subject under the Constitution, the responsibility for providing security to an individual who is ordinarily resident in or happens to be under the jurisdiction of a State Government, lies primarily with the State Governments concerned. State Governments have their own mechanism for assessing threat, providing security and reviewing security. 

The Central Government too provides security cover on the basis of assessment of threat to some individuals. The security provided is subject to periodic review, based on which security is continued/ withdrawn/ downgraded/ upgraded. Thus the number of protected in the Central List varies from time to time. However, as on date, there are 275 threat-based protected in the Central List, as per details below: 

“Z+” category – 31 
“Z” category – 77 
“Y” category – 136 
“X” category – 31 
Total – 275 

Details of protected of the State Governments and expenditure incurred on their security, are not available with the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

As regards expenditure on security, the same is difficult to determine precisely as it would include salary and allowances to security personnel, communication, transport vehicles etc. which are accounted for under respective budget heads of different security agencies, including State Government agencies, involved in providing security cover. Such details are not compiled centrally and so cannot be provided. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri Om Birla in the Lok Sabha. 

****

Linking of NPR data with Aadhar Numbers 

The Government has decided to update the National Population Register (NPR) and seed the Aadhaar number in NPR database at an estimated cost of Rs. 951.35 crore. The field work would be completed by March 2016. This updated NPR database along with Aadhaar Number would become the mother database and can be used by various government departments for selection of beneficiaries under their respective schemes. 

There is no duplication of efforts as all the agencies namely Registrar General of Citizen Registration India, Ministry of Home Affairs, Unique Identification Authority of India, NITI Aayog, Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Mission, Ministry of Finance and State/Union Territories Governments are working in close coordination for completion of the above exercise. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri Satav Rajeev, Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Dr. Sunil Baliram Gaikwad, Dr. Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Shri Dhananjay Mahadik, Shri Ashok Shankarrao Chavan, Shri Mohite Patil Vijaysinh Shankarrao, Smt. Supriya Sule, Shri Gajanan Kirtikar and Kunwar Haribansh Singh in the Lok Sabha. 

****
Shortage of IPS officers 

To mitigate the shortage of IPS officers, the Government has introduced ‘Limited Competitive Examination’ as the third mode of recruitment to the IPS. Officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police of State Police Services, Assistant Commandants of Central Paramilitary Forces and Captains and Majors of Defence Forces fulfilling certain eligibility criteria are eligible for appearing in the said examination. By this mode of recruitment, 80 candidates are to be recruited annually. 

A large number of Court Cases have been received in this Ministry, UPSC, DoP&T and MoD challenging various aspects of the scheme of this mode of recruitment and at present the matter is sub-judice. However, to mitigate the shortage of IPS officers, the batch-size of IPS (direct recruit) has been increased from 88 to 103 from CSE 2005, to 130 from CSE 2008 and to 150 from CSE 2009. Besides the above, the process of appointment to the Indian Police Service by promotion from State Police Service has been accelerated. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary in a written reply to a question by Shri Laxman Giluwa, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Smt. Jyoti Dhurve and Shri CS Putta Raju in the Lok Sabha.