Under attack over the law and order situation in the state, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government on Friday proposed to increase the budget allocation for police by 11 percent for the 2023-24 financial year as compared to the previous. With a total budget allocation of Rs 10, 523 crore, Cheema has set aside Rs 64 crore for modernization of police forces; and Rs 40 crore for fortifying the Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence Wing with latest equipment and infrastructure.
 
For the first time, the Government has allocated a separate fund of Rs 40 crore for the state's border districts — Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Firozpur and Fazilka.
 
Cheema made an initial allocation of Rs 40 crore in 2023-24 “to strengthen the infrastructure in the border districts of the State”. The funds would be utilized for undertaking activities such as installation of CCTV cameras in areas close to the international border, adequate lightening provisions; high-end vehicles for mobility, among others.
 
The Finance Minister, while tabling the budget proposals, said that some “evil forces” are always looking for opportunities to disturb peace and order in our border state; and their attempts in the past were successfully combated by our brave police forces. “I, on behalf of my Government, warn the enemies of Punjab to fall in line else our Government shall destroy them from the root,” said Cheema.
 
“Our Government is preparing our law enforcement agencies and police forces for all odds. The Counter Intelligence wing of Punjab Police is being fortified with latest equipment and infrastructure,” said Cheema while proposing Rs 40 crore for the same.
 
Cheema also highlighted the work done by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), constituted by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to effectively combat gangster culture and to restore people's confidence in law and order machinery.
 
He informed the House that the AGTF spearheaded dedicated operations against the gangsters and criminals in the State. Till end of February 2023, AGTF has arrested 567 gangsters or criminals, neutralized five gangsters, busted 156 gangster or criminal modules; and recovered 563 weapons and 125 vehicles used in criminal activities.
 
“To strengthen the police forces to tackle crime and maintain law and order and have a peaceful atmosphere in the State, Rs 64 crore is proposed in FY 2023-24 for modernization of police forces,” he announced.
 
Further, the Finance Minister proposed an initial allocation of Rs 30 crore to modernize the Cyber Crime setup. “The latest and sophisticated threat, being faced by the world today, is cyber warfare and cyber-crimes. Our Government would modernize the Cyber Crime setup and enhance its capabilities,” he said, adding that this would help in effectively combating cybercrime.
 
In addition, an allocation of Rs 33 crore was also made for the purchase of land for police lines, police stations, and other police offices; while Rs 10 crore has been allocated for construction and renovation of police complexes and buildings in the year 2023-24.
 
Special assistance of Rs 26 crore was also proposed for aiding the Police Housing Corporation for repaying the loan undertaken from the Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO).
 
Notably, the opposition parties in the state are targeting the ruling AAP for its alleged failure to control the law and order situation in Punjab, with latest being the recent attack on Ajnala police station by the supporters of Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh, followed by gang-war inside the Goindwal central jail where two gangsters succumbed to the injuries.