The scheme for modernisation of police force in Jharkhand could not achieve its target owing to several factors, ranging from irregular pattern of funding to shortage of modern weapons and inadequate training.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India observed this in the report on general, social and economic sectors for the year ended March 2018. The report was tabled on Monday during the just concluded monsoon session of Jharkhand Assembly.
The CAG conducted a performance audit on the activities related to the modernisation scheme from 2013 to 2018. The scheme aimed at making state police force capable of facing emerging challenges and to reduce its dependence on the army and central armed police forces. Under the scheme, the Union and state governments were to share the expenditure in the ratio of 60:40, but neither the Centre nor the state released full components of funds during the period, the CAG observed.
Though, the police needed to equip itself adequately to combat sophisticated weapons used by criminals and Maoists, it was still dependent on phased out weapons as shortage of modern weapons increased from 28 per cent in April 2013 to 32 per cent in April 2018, the report said.