Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for August, 2010

Ministry of Home Affairs

PIB RELEASE

Report Card of Ministry of Home Affairs for August, 2010

The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram presented the Report Card of the Ministry of Home Affairs for August, 2010 here today.  Following is the text of his statement: “I present before you the report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for the month of August, 2010.             Parliament was in session through the month of August, 2010.  Most of my time was devoted to Parliamentary business.  Ministry of Home Affairs piloted the following Bills which were passed by both Houses: (i)         The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Bill (ii)        The Land Ports Authority of India Bill (iii)       The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill             The highlight of the month was the conference of DsGP/IsGP that was held on August 25-27, 2010.  I inaugurated the conference and, in my opening speech, dealt with a number of issues.  The Prime Minister addressed the conference on August 26, 2010 and delivered an important speech.  The texts of these addresses have already been distributed to the media and are available on the website of MHA (www.mha.nic.in) and of PMO (www.pmindia.nic.in).             The Prime Minister convened a meeting of all political parties of Jammu and Kashmir on August 10, 2010.  Jammu & Kashmir continued to witness violent protests in the month of August, 2010.  Our efforts to put an end to the cycle of violence are yet to bear fruit.  In my opening address to the conference of DsGP/IsGP, I said, “The Central Government has acknowledged that a political solution must be found to the problems of J&K.  The Central Government has offered a dialogue with all sections of the people of J&K and all political parties and groups.  We are concerned that we have not been able to stop the vicious cycle in which that State is caught.  However, it is my hope that, in the next few days, we would be able to find that elusive ‘starting point’ from where we could reach out to the protestors, reassure them of their rights and dignity, restore peace and order, redeem the promises made, and re-start the process of dialogue that will lead to a solution.”             Government hopes that it will be able to re-start the process of dialogue in the near future.             Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Telecommunications have engaged RIM, the company that owns Blackberry, in the matter of providing access to the communications that are transmitted through Blackberry services. RIM has agreed to provide access to some of the communications that are transmitted through the RIM systems and these have beenoperationalised with effect from September 1, 2010. Discussion on technical solutions for further access, are continuing and the matter will be reviewed within 60 days. Internal Security North East             On the request of the Governments of Manipur and Nagaland, 12 additional CPMF companies (6 CRPF; 6 BSF) were deployed for security of NH-39 and NH-53. On August 10, 2010, a committee was constituted to examine various issues related to Chakmas / Hajongs, which include their settlement in Arunachal Pradesh and grant of Indian citizenship to eligible members.             On August 6, 2010, a tripartite agreement was signed with a Meitei outfit in Manipur, the Kangleipak Communist Party (Military Council) – Lallumba faction. As a result, 114 cadres surrendered with 81 weapons. Measures are being taken to rehabilitate all surrendered cadres.             On August 22, 2010, the tripartite SoO with the Kuki National Organisation(KNO) and the United People’s Front (UPF) was extended by 45 days. This agreement has been in effect since August 22, 2008. Jammu & Kashmir             The annual Amarnathji Yatra concluded on August 24, 2010. Since July 1, 2010 a total of 458,000 pilgrims visited the shrine. Full security was provided to the yatra and no incident of violence was reported. Left Wing Extremism             Unified Commands have been created in the States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.             An amount of Rs. 23.54 crore was released to LWE-affected States under the SRE scheme.             The honorarium for SPOs was raised from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 per month. The ratio of cost sharing per SPO between the Centre and the States was fixed at 80:20.             12,000 additional SPOs were sanctioned to the following LWE-affected States:             Andhra Pradesh           :          1,500 Chhattisgarh                :           3,000             Jharkhand                    :           3,000             Maharashtra                 :          1,500 Orissa                          :           3,000             Total                            :          12,000 GJM 1          On August 17, 2010, the third round of tripartite talks were held on the demands of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM). CPOs/CPMFs             A sum total of Rs. 211.52 crore was released to the following States under the MPF Scheme for State police forces in August, 2010: Chhattisgarh Rs.  2.93crore Gujarat Rs.   6.91crore J&K Rs.  77.05crore J&K (Ordnance Factory Board) Rs.   2.08crore Kerala Rs. 15.88crore Rajasthan Rs.  33.87crore Tamil Nadu Rs.  36.59crore Uttarakhand Rs.   4.27crore Ordnance Factory Board (various States) Rs.  31.94crore Total Rs.  211.52crore               The following procurements amounting to Rs. 27.32 crore were approved under the     MPF Scheme for CPMFs/CPOs: 3,260 motorcycles (CRPF) :  Rs. 18.00crore 60 multi-grenade launchers (ITBP) :  Rs.  3.15 crore 70 N-crosses (NSG) :  Rs.  5.85 crore 1 Glass Refractive Index Measurement System (CFSL, Kolkata) :  Rs.  0.32 crore Total : Rs. 27.32crore               Sanctions amounting to Rs. 104.54 crore were issued for acquisition of land and equipment and for construction of buildings/barracks for CPMFs:- Land (AR, BSF, CISF, SSB)                              :           Rs.   56.37crore Land and Buildings (BSF, CRPF, ITBP)            :           Rs.    43.64 crore Electrification (AR)                                           :           Rs.     4.53 crore Total                                                               :           Rs.   104.54 crore               Lump sum ex-gratia compensation amounting to Rs. 3 crore was sanctioned to the next of kin of deceased CPMF personnel in 14 cases of ‘killed in action’ and 9 cases of ‘death while on duty’.             In the month of August, 2010, 553 posts were sanctioned to the CISF for the following installations:       Jabalpur airport                                   : 120 posts Andaman & Nicobar port                      : 119 posts             BCPL (Assam)                                      : 287 posts             Ordnance Workshop, Chennai             :   27 posts             Total                                                   : 553 posts               12 Recruitment Rules (RRs) were notified for various CPOs/CPMFs in the month of August, 2010. These included RRs for specialist doctors, medical officers and dental surgeons in CPMFs; for Assistant Commandants (GD) in SSB; and Group A (GD) officers in BSF.             The CRPF was permitted to reallocate of 2,160 posts of Constables (GD) to enable recruitment of 1,079 constables from the ST category in LWE-affected areas and 1,081 constables from the SC and OBC categories in other States.     Border Management             India-Bangladesh Border: 3 kms of fencing and 5 kms of road works were completed in August, 2010 under phase II of the project. 7 kms of fencing was replaced in August, 2010 under phase III of the project. Poles for floodlighting were erected on a length of 30 kms during the month of August, 2010.             India-China Border: 15.22 kms of formation works and 2.36 kms of surfacing works were completed in August, 2010. Formation and cutting works were completed for the Sugar Point – Lepcha road (Himachal Pradesh) and the Bona – Gelling road (Arunachal Pradesh).             Coastal Security: 8 boats were delivered in August, 2010 – 4 boats from Goa Shipyards Limited and 4 boats from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited. Against a delivery target of 157 boats upto August, 2010, 142 boats have been delivered.             Border Area Development Programme (BADP): In the current financial year, thetotal amount released to 17 States under BADP stands at Rs. 429.74 crore (67.7% of the total allocation of Rs. 635 crore).  Immigration:             In August, 2010, software was operationalised at the ICPs at Cuddalore andNagapattinam, taking the total of computerized ICPs to 70 out of a total of 77.             In August, 2010, the Sutarkhandi ICP was networked with the Central Foreigners’ Bureau (CFB), taking the total of CFB-networked ICPs to 56 out of a total of 77.             The Rs. 1,011 crore mission mode project on Immigration, Visa and Foreigners’ Registration & Tracking (IVFoRT) continues to make good progress.  On August 17, 2010, the online visa application system with appointment scheduling was made mandatory for all visa applicants at the High Commission of India, Dhaka.             28 Pakistani prisoners who had completed their sentence were repatriated to Pakistan on August 18, 2010. IPS Cadre             On July 23, 2010, the revised strength and composition of 5 IPS cadres werenotified as follows: Cadre Existing Revised Assam - Meghalaya 172 188 Haryana 117 137 Madhya Pradesh 291 291 Rajasthan 193 205 Tamil Nadu 236 263 Total 1009 1084             Shri R.K. Medhekar, IPS (KL:75) was appointed as Director General, National Security Guard on August 31, 2010. Legal             On August 19, 2010, the Land Ports Authority Bill, 2010 was passed by theRajya Sabha. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on May 6, 2010.             The President of India accorded assent to the Kerala Cashew Factories (Acquisition) Amendment Bill, 2009.             The President of India withheld assent to the Karnataka Molasses Regulation Bill, 2004.             In the month of August, 2010, two mercy petitions, those of Piara Singh of Punjab & Others and Shobhit Chamar of Bihar were decided. Both death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment with a direction that they shall remain in prison for the whole of the remainder of their natural life and there shall be no remission of the term of imprisonment. Disaster Relief             6,000 rescue personnel including NDRF and ITBP personnel were deployed to handle the aftermath of the cloud burst in Leh, J&K on August 5/6, 2010. More than 8,000 persons were evacuated. 400 tonnes of relief material, 800 tents, 6,900 blankets, 620 tarpaulins, 1,000 mattresses, food packets, bottled water and chlorine tablets were provided.             On August 19, 2010, 2 additional battalions of the NDRF were approved for location at Patna and Vijayawada.             The first instalment of the Central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) amounting to Rs  2,338.91 crore was released.             In the months of June to August, 2010, 23 types of Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), Medical First Responder and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) equipment were sanctioned at a total cost of Rs. 17.32 crore.             On account of the South-West monsoon, NDRF teams comprising 1097 personnel were deployed for emergency response and rescue in the flood-prone States of Andhra Pradesh (77), Assam (121), Bihar (215), Delhi (72), Gujarat (117), Haryana (42), J&K (45), Kerala (77), Maharashtra (176), Punjab (114) and Uttarakhand (41). Census 2011 and National Population Register             Data collection for House listing & Housing census and for the National Population Register was completed in all States/UTs except Jammu & Kashmir and a few areas of Chhattisgarh, Manipur and West Bengal.             NPR for the coastal areas was completed in 3,331 coastal villages of nine maritime States and four UTs. Biographical details of approximately 120 lakh persons and biometric details of approximately 69 lakh persons were collected. Other issues             On August 25, 2010, a Bill to amend Section 13 of the Arms Act, 1959 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.             On August 9, 2010, Agreements on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons with Bangladesh and Korea, were ratified.             On August 9, 2010, through an open bid process, M/s Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) was selected as the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU) for the CCTNS project.             20,500 pension records of freedom fighters were computerized in August, 2010. The database now has 2,24,500 records. The data base of living freedom fighters’ now has 43,774, of which 12,228 were added in August, 2010.              47,385 records of claims and compensation paid to displaced persons were computerized in August, 2010. The database now has 71,000 records”. ***** RS/KKA

BSF helicopter pressed into service as Bihar police intensifies search

From samachartoday.com

Bihar police intensifies search for securitymen held hostage by Maoists
Bihar police has further intensified search operation for four security personnelheld hostage by Maoists in Lakhisarai district. A BSF helicopter has also been pressed into service. Maoists have extended the deadline till 10 AM today for the release of some of their jailed cadres in exchange of captive police personnel.

Bihar DGP Neel Mani told AIR that all efforts are being made to secure the release of the police personnel taken hostage by Maoists after an encounter with them on Sunday.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar himself is supervising the rescue operation. Mr. Kumar assured the family members of the kidnapped policemen that they will be released safely.

AIR Patna correspondent K.K. Lal reports that security men who are under custody of Maoists have been identified as Sub Inspector Rupesh kumar Sinha, Officer in charge Abhay Yadav, Jamadar Lukus Tete and Havaldar Ehatsaam Khan.

Naxals have offered release of 4 security men under their custody in exchange for release of eight of their comrades who are in the different jails of the state.

Meanwhile the state government transferred Lakhisarai Suprintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Singh and posted Ranjit Mishra as new SP.

Retreat Ceremony BSF proposes facelift for venue

From The TribuneSarbjit Dhaliwal/TNS

Jalandhar, September 1
As the Retreat ceremony at the Wagah border has been attracting a large number of tourists, the BSF has proposed steps to the Union Government to improve infrastructure and other facilities for them. Lack of facilities, especially proper seating arrangements, is a sore point that spoils the charm of the ceremony.
IG (BSF) Himmat Singh Gill said efforts were on to improve infrastructure there.
Sources in the BSF said three steps had been proposed to the Union Home Ministry to make tourists’ visit comfortable and to provide better and a close view of the ceremony to them.
One of the steps is to install LCD screens to show the ceremony live to those who fail to get a seat close the ceremony point.
Other proposal is to expand the seating capacity of the existing stand that is on the left side of the road leading to the post from 6,500 to 8,000. The third proposal is to build a new U-shape stand having larger capacity to accommodate 20,000 persons. Across the border, Pakistan has build horseshoe type impressive stands having better seating capacity. As an integrated checkpost (ICP) is being built at a cost of Rs 200 crore there to handle trade goods, traffic flow will shift to the ICP and more space will become available to beautify the area where the ceremony is held.

Afforestation on BSF land near border: HC issues notices

From The Times Of India
TNN, Sep 1, 2010,


AHMEDABAD: Gujarat High Court has sought explanation from the Adani-owned Mundra Port & Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ), the state forests department, the Union defence ministry, Kutch district collector and the National Biodiversity Authority in connection with the allotment of 2,000 hectare land in possession of BSF for afforestation. 

In September last year, the Union ministry of environment and forest granted permission to MPSEZ to take and industrially develop the 2008.41 hectare reserve forest land. The land falls in Mundra and Dhrub villages in the Kutch east forest division. 

The land was given to MPSEZ on certain condition that it would have to make compensatory afforestation over equivalent non-forest land and to bear the cost of raising and maintaining compensatory afforestation. 

A Congressman from Kutch, Adam Chaki filed a PIL in the high court alleging that the land reserved for afforestation was in the northern part of Kutch. He claimed that it was near the border adjoining Pakistan. The petitioner has also alleged that the land reserved to create a forest was actually in possession of the Border Security Force. 

The petitioner also claimed that the land had been reserved, for afforestation by the corporate house, in violation of the conditions laid down by the Centre. Chaki also claimed that if forest was created on BSF land near the border, it could cause threat to security of the nation. 

After hearing the PIL, a bench headed by Chief Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya issued notices to all concerned parties seeking explanation over the issue. Further hearing was kept on September 20.

India Ready to Test Fire Indigenous Agni-V Missile

From army-technology.com

 02 September 2010

India's indigenous Agni-V (A-5) nuclear-capable missile is ready for test firing, Defence Minister AK Antony has said.

The A-5 is a long-range variant of the 3,500km-range Agni-III (A-3) intermediate range ballistic missile and is designed with inertial guidance, highly accurate sensors and high immunity from jamming, according to domain-b.com.

The 5,000km-range fire-and-forget missile can hit targets in northernmost China, including Beijing, and can carry multiple warheads with decoys.

The date for the test firing of the missile has not been disclosed.

Spl questionnaire for verification of personnel securing CWG

From Zeenews

Updated on Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 18:27

New Delhi: Are you originally a resident of a country other than India?

This is a question which the Delhi Police has asked jawans and personnel of various security forces who will be deployed for securing the Commonwealth Games here.

The eight-page questionnaire then goes on to ask the policemen about his or her address in the foreign country, date of entry to India and even the checkpost or point of entry where the security personnel entered from. The Delhi Police is looking after accreditation and verification of security personnel drawn from para-military forces like CRPF, CISF, ITBP, BSF, SSB and NSG. 

These commandos have been given the 'Special Security Questionnaire' for re-verification after they are selected for security-related duties for the sporting extravaganza by their respective organisations. 

Interestingly, the questionnaire also asks these government employees -- who draw their salaries from the exchequer -- about the source of their income, including that of their family members. 

"Have you ever had personal contact with an official of a foreign country other than as a result of official duties? and have you ever been a prisoner of war or held in enemy country for any duration" are some other questions that the sleuths have put forth in black and white to these men in 'Khaki'. 
Some of the other questions include, asking the personnel whether they have "been a member of any cultural or social organisation which is associated with or assisted by any foreign mission? Particulars of relatives (Indian and non-Indian) working in foreign missions and organisations including foreign concerns." 

"These questions have been asked to the security personnel as it was desired by the authorities. Probably the concern of security agencies involved in the Commonwealth Games is to make foolproof arrangements sans any bias or favour regarding international athletes and participants on the part of these personnel," a senior officer involved in the process said. 

A number of questions regarding their contacts in foreign countries and visits have been asked to these personnel to rule out the possibility of any conflict of interest, the officer added. 

The securitymen have also been asked if any of their relatives (including children) are living overseas? The questionnaire also enquires the security personnel if they have "ever been a member or worker of any political party or have participated in any political activity". The question applies to the security personnel's relatives too. 

The foreign connect of these security personnel continues to be probed in further questions as the policemen have to detail any person above 18 years of age residing with them who has "visited or resided in overseas countries?" 

The photograph bearing questionnaire also mentions that if any information that is furnished is false or the facts have been hidden, the services of the securitymen are liable to be terminated "solely on this ground". 

PTI 

R K Medhekar appointed NSG chief

From (http://www.ptinews.com)

New Delhi, Aug 31 (PTI) Special Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) R K Medhekar was today appointed as the new Chief of National Security Guard, the elite commando force deployed for protecting VIPs and swift action in case of hostage crisis. 

Flood hits border patrolling in Ganganagar

From The Times Of India
TNN, Sep 1, 2010, 12.55am IST
Read more: Flood hits border patrolling in Ganganagar - Jaipur - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Flood-hits-border-patrolling-in-Ganganagar/articleshow/6471154.cms#ixzz0yHLYNkCy
JAISALMER: Incessant rain in the past few days at the international border in Ganganagar district have led to flooding. Many check posts of the Border Security Force are reported to have been submerged, leaving the border porous. 

To check infiltration, BSF has intensified patrolling on boats. The ground zero that divides the two countries is under four feet water. Officials expect the level to rise to six feet, if the rain continues. 

"Almost a dozen villages have been affected by the rain on each side of the border. However, Pakistan has raised the ground level of many bordering villages that has made the situation worse. As a result, the water that recedes flows into India," said a BSF official. 

Following the heavy rain, the BSF is reportedly getting numerous rescue calls from remote villages in the district. Food items are being ferried to stranded villages. 

According to experts, due to heavy rain the Gaggar river is overflowing in areas such as Kailesh Majnu, Chitrakoot, Sherapua and Binjor. "The water may take some days to recede from the villages, provided the rain does not return," an expert said. 


Read more: Flood hits border patrolling in Ganganagar - Jaipur - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Flood-hits-border-patrolling-in-Ganganagar/articleshow/6471154.cms#ixzz0yHLMQ3rb

Three more battalions for anti-Naxal operations in Orissa

From

Published: Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010, 18:45 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI

Three more battalions of security forces, comprising nearly 3,000 personnel, will be deployed in Orissa for anti-Maoist operations in addition to the eight already pressed into service, a senior official said today.

A decision to this effect was taken today during a meeting of state government and Union home ministry officials to review the anti-Naxal operations.

"We held a discussion on operations and logistic support provided to the central para-military force deployed in Maoist-hit districts of Orissa," said a senior home department official who attended the meeting held at the office of the Special Intelligence Wing (SIW) here.

He said the state government told the meeting that it required a dedicated helicopter the support the operations.

Official sources said there was detailed review of the Maoist situation in the state including worst-hit Malkangiri and other southern districts.

The eight battalions of central para-military forces already in the state comprised five battalions of BSF and three of the CRPF, the sources said.

Three more battalions would be despatched to the state, they said.

The five battalions of BSF were deployed in Malkangiri district bordering Chhattishgarh while the CRPF was present in other southern districts.

The closed door meeting was attended by additional secretary (Naxal Management) in Union home ministry DRS Chaudhary, MHA's joint secretary (Naxal Management) Kashmir Singh, CRPF's special DG Subas Joshi, DGP Manmohan Praharaj and senior officials engaged in the anti-Maoist operations.

The CRPF special DG had met chief minister Naveen Patnaik here last evening, the sources said.

Huge quantity of cough syrup bottles confiscated

From webindia123

Silchar | Tuesday, Aug 31 2010 IST

Border Security Force (BSF) personnel today recovered huge quantity of Phensidyl from near the Indo-Bangladesh border in Karimganj district of southern Assam.

Based on specific information, a special search operation was conducted by the BSF's Intelligence Wing along with troops of 115th batallion in Basantpur village of Karimganj near the Border Outpost at Jabainpur and recovered 2,145 bottles of Phensydyl worth Rs 1,58,730.

These were concealed in the house of Abdul Manik (30) in Basantpur village. Abdul, a smuggler, was also apprehended along with the contraband goods.

A BSF official said the apprehended smuggler and seized cough syrup bottles were handed over to the Karimganj police on the same day for further investigation and taking legal action. Sources said the contraband was on its way to Bangladesh.

Phensydyl is in good demand in the neighbouring country and is supplied from India through partly fenced International Borders with Barak Valley and North Tripura.

-- (UNI) -- 31CA26.xml