Budget 2024: Rs 2.19 Lakh Crore Allocation to Home Ministry Boosts Central Police Forces

In the recently unveiled Union Budget for 2024-25, the Ministry of Home Affairs received a substantial allocation of Rs 2,19,643.31 crore, reflecting the government's commitment to bolstering internal security and maintaining robust border management. This allocation marks a significant increase from the interim budget of 2024-25, which had earmarked Rs 2,02,868.70 crore for the ministry under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

A considerable portion of this budget, Rs 1,43,275.90 crore, is dedicated to the central police forces, including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). These forces play a crucial role in maintaining internal security, guarding borders, and protecting vital installations across the country.

The CRPF, which handles internal security duties and counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxal-affected areas, and the insurgency-hit Northeast, received Rs 31,543.20 crore, a slight increase from the previous year's revised estimate. The BSF, responsible for securing India's borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh, was allotted Rs 25,472.44 crore. The CISF, which protects critical infrastructure like nuclear plants, airports, and metro networks, saw its budget increase to Rs 14,331.89 crore.

Other central police forces also saw increased allocations. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the Sino-Indian border, received Rs 8,634.21 crore, while the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), tasked with guarding the borders with Nepal and Bhutan, was allocated Rs 8,881.81 crore. The Assam Rifles, responsible for security along the India-Myanmar border, received Rs 7,428.33 crore.

In addition to these allocations, the budget also focused on regions under direct central control, such as Jammu and Kashmir, which received Rs 42,277.74 crore. This region has been under central administration since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and its reorganization into two Union Territories. Other Union Territories also received significant funds, including Rs 5,985.82 crore for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rs 5,958 crore for Ladakh, and Rs 5,862.62 crore for Chandigarh.

Funds were also allocated for disaster management and response. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) received Rs 1,606.95 crore, while Rs 6,458 crore was earmarked for disaster management, relief, and rehabilitation. The Border Infrastructure and Management received Rs 3,756.51 crore, and Rs 3,152.36 crore was allocated for developing police infrastructure.

The budget also addressed women's safety, with Rs 1,105 crore dedicated to related schemes, and Rs 1,050 crore was allocated to the Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at developing border villages. The Safe City Project received Rs 214.44 crore to enhance urban safety.

The Intelligence Bureau (IB), India's internal intelligence agency, saw its budget increase to Rs 3,823.83 crore. The Delhi Police, responsible for maintaining law and order in the national capital, received Rs 11,180.33 crore, while the Special Protection Group (SPG), which provides security to the Prime Minister, was allocated Rs 506.32 crore.

In support of education and research in security sciences, the National Forensic Science University received Rs 80 crore, and the Rashtriya Raksha University was given Rs 90 crore.

Overall, the Union Budget 2024-25 reflects the government's commitment to strengthening the country's internal security apparatus and ensuring robust management of its borders and vital installations. The increased funding across various security forces and regions under central control underscores the priority placed on maintaining peace and security across the nation.