Police seek Tk 5b for transport
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Jubair Hasan
The police administration asked for Tk 5 billion for the purchase of transports as shortage of vehicles is seriously hampering maintenance of law and order across the country, officials said Monday.
The move came after an International Crisis Group (ICG) report, published last week, claimed the present government lacks the political will to reform the police force despite a UN-led effort in this regard.
Brussels-based ICG said the police force is a "tool to line the pockets of politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen," and if the government does not reform the system, the army could step in, according to the report.
"The dire state of the force reflects failures by successive governments," the report said.
The police administration submitted the proposal for Tk 5 billion as they have been struggling to provide smooth security services to the country's 140 million people due to lack of transport facilities, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad said.
Every year the government allocated a portion of the budget for buying transports. In the current fiscal year the police have been allocated Tk 125 million (Tk 12.50 crore).
"But the allocation is insufficient for the country's 0.124 million police force," the IGP said and added despite facing many limitations the police personnel have been playing very remarkable role in improving the law and order situation.
"We've sent the proposal to the Home Ministry last week," he said at the police headquarters.
Home Ministry officials Monday said the government is taking the proposal seriously.
The police administration asked for Tk 5 billion for the purchase of transports as shortage of vehicles is seriously hampering maintenance of law and order across the country, officials said Monday.
The move came after an International Crisis Group (ICG) report, published last week, claimed the present government lacks the political will to reform the police force despite a UN-led effort in this regard.
Brussels-based ICG said the police force is a "tool to line the pockets of politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen," and if the government does not reform the system, the army could step in, according to the report.
"The dire state of the force reflects failures by successive governments," the report said.
The police administration submitted the proposal for Tk 5 billion as they have been struggling to provide smooth security services to the country's 140 million people due to lack of transport facilities, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Nur Mohammad said.
Every year the government allocated a portion of the budget for buying transports. In the current fiscal year the police have been allocated Tk 125 million (Tk 12.50 crore).
"But the allocation is insufficient for the country's 0.124 million police force," the IGP said and added despite facing many limitations the police personnel have been playing very remarkable role in improving the law and order situation.
"We've sent the proposal to the Home Ministry last week," he said at the police headquarters.
Home Ministry officials Monday said the government is taking the proposal seriously.