BHUBANESWAR:Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday strongly disapproved the recent remark by Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjiv Marik on reduced Central allocation for police modernisation in Odisha.
"I heard the recent criticism of State DGP. This is not proper on the part of an all-India service officer to give such a statement," Pradhan said on the sidelines of a party function here.
Alleging that the ruling BJD has been engaging IAS and IPS officers in political activities in the State, Pradhan said the officers should keep it in mind that they are employees of the Government of India.
Pradhan's statement came in response to Marik's remarks on April 29 that the Centre's decision to stop funding of police modernisation in the State will affect infrastructure development activities.
"Stopping of Central assistance for police modernisation will certainly hit the police force. The Centre should review its decision. The State earlier used to get Rs 127 crore per annum from different heads for development of the police," Marik had told reporters after attending a meeting presided by Chief Secretary GC Pati on April 29.
Marik also said the State-level empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary has assured all necessary assistance to the State police for development of the force in the State.
He had also said the State Government would give priority to modernisation of the police force even as the Centre stopped funding under different heads.
State BJP president KV Singhdeo had also reacted strongly to the reported statement of Marik saying such a remark is grossly misleading and intended to confuse the public regarding the intention of Central Government.
"It is entirely misleading to give an impression that funding for police modernisation has been stopped. The Modi Government is very much aware of the requirements of police force and recognises the role they play in maintaining law and order and containing Left Wing Extremism," Singhdeo had said.