Centre to include JKP budget with MHA grants on lines of Delhi Police
The Union Ministry of Finance has recently approved a significant proposal that aims to modernize the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) by integrating its budget with the budget grants of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), similar to the financial arrangement for the Delhi Police. This decision is expected to substantially increase the JKP’s budget, facilitating its modernization efforts.
The proposal, endorsed by the Department of Economic Affairs, is set to be implemented within the current year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the first budget of the Modi 3.0 Government on July 22, including the full budget for Jammu and Kashmir, as she had only taken a Vote-on-Account earlier this year.
To ensure a seamless transition, the Finance Department has advised the Home Department to complete specific formalities. These include ensuring the inclusion of the balance budget for 2024-25 and establishing mechanisms for budget release, delegation of financial powers, and expenditure management in coordination with the Chief Controller of Accounts (CCA) of the MHA.
This integration is expected to significantly enhance the financial resources available to the JKP, allowing it to better address challenges such as terrorism, radicalization, cybercrime, narcotics, and cross-border threats. The budget of the Delhi Police, which is significantly higher, serves as a benchmark for the anticipated increase in the JKP’s budget.
Additionally, the pension component currently managed by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank will now be reimbursed by the MHA. This necessitates the segregation of pension data for retirees of the Home Department from those of other departments to streamline the reimbursement process.
Treasuries across Jammu and Kashmir are expected to maintain separate databases for Home Department retirees and provide approximate figures for communication to the MHA. This will ensure accurate and efficient reimbursement of pensions post-transition.
Overall, this financial restructuring is poised to bolster the JKP’s capabilities, enhancing its operational efficiency and ability to manage various security challenges effectively.
