New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Opposing the union government’s move to introduce a new law and procedure of investigation in crimes that may have national or international ramifications, the Punjab government Monday termed it as an “encroachment upon the authority of the state governments”.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, while addressing the conference of chief ministers on police reforms here, said such a move would not only harm policing but would also impact national interest.
He said that instead of enacting a new law, massive funding was required to control crimes which have inter-state and national ramifications. He said the union government should provide adequate funds for tackling crime.
Badal said India must learn a lesson from the US, which clamped down hard after the one and only terrorist attack in New York in 2001.
“In contrast, our funding to control serious crime is virtually non-existent and whatever meagre funds we are provided, they are spread thinly for years. The government of India used to provide 75 percent of funds for police modernisation. It has been reduced to 60 percent now,” Badal said.
Welcoming the report of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC), Badal said that while implementing these recommendations, there should be no deviation from the constitutional provision that makes maintenance of law and order a state subject.
Describing Punjab as a pioneer state in implementing administrative reforms, especially in police, Badal said Punjab was the first state to introduce accountability in enacting the Right to Service Act. The act covers over 84 services, and is now being replicated by the union government for some services.
