Police Modernisation Scheme Awaits Finance Ministry Approval

The Union government recently apprised the Supreme Court regarding the status of the 'Umbrella Scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces,' stating that the proposal is currently under the active consideration of the Department of Expenditure under the Ministry of Finance. This development is significant as it directly impacts the implementation of the Supreme Court’s 2021 judgment in the Paramvir Singh Saini v. Baljit Singh case, which mandated the installation of CCTV cameras in all police stations across the country to ensure transparency and prevent custodial torture. Police modernisation is a multi-faceted challenge in India, involving the integration of advanced technology, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity building. The proposed umbrella scheme aims to provide the necessary financial impetus to states to upgrade their forensic capabilities, communication networks, and surveillance infrastructure. The delay in approval highlights the complexities of fiscal federalism, where the Centre and States must coordinate to ensure that the 'Police'—a subject under the State List of the Seventh Schedule—is equipped to handle modern-day security threats, including cybercrime and organized crime.