KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The state government Tuesday informed the ongoing session of J&K assembly that J&K has 1890 protected persons being provided security cover by the security wing of J&K police.
Without disclosing the names and details of such persons, the government said 634 vehicles have been deployed with 373 protected persons while 284 political persons have been allotted secured hotel accommodations only.
The salary of police personnel deployed on guard/escort duties with protected persons is being borne by state government. For the financial year 2015-16, the state had to borne expenditure of nearly Rs 21.04 crore.
“The claims under transportation and accommodation are being reimbursed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), GOI as per Security Related Expenditure (SRE) guidelines,” the government replied to the question raised by MLA Mendhar Javed A Rana.
The SRE is a non-plan scheme of MHA for providing financial assistance to various states including J&K owing to militancy. “The claims for reimbursements are forwarded to the MHA through State Finance Government on monthly basis and on receipt of these claims, the MHA releases 60% of the funds at the time of receipt of claims and 40% is being reimbursed after MHA conducts audit of the accounts,” the govt said.
The govt said that 100% claim has been reimbursed from Oct 01, 2014 to Sep 30, 2015 amounting to Rs 280.50 crore.
Regarding the CAG report pointing out the misappropriation in SRE to the tune of Rs 115.68 crore meant for “Carriage of Constabulary and hiring of vehicles” during 2014 parliamentary and assembly elections, the govt said the DGP has referred the matter to the Crime Branch to initiate a time bound inquiry in the matter.
The security cover to the protected persons is provided as per the guidelines of MHA as laid down in Yellow Book, the govt informed. “While the security cover is provided on the basis of threat perception reports, the Yellow Book also provides for position based security cover.”
The govt said the guidelines as contained in the Yellow Book are being strictly followed and “there is no violation of norms.”
