Maharashtra to have new arms policy in seven days

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The government has made funds available on priority basis for the purpose of procuring arms and ammunition, he said while addressing a meeting of top home department and security officials Monday afternoon.

"Within seven days, the arms policy should be formulated and implemented. Planning should be done for the safety of arms and removing the flaws in it," Patil directed his ministry.

Patil also suggested that "sensitive jails" must be provided with automatic rifles as per need after conducting a survey.

He said that finance ministry makes funds needed for security on priority so it should be spent in a planned manner.

The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chandra Iyengar, Director-General of Police A.N. Roy, Mumbai Police Commissioner D. Shivanandhan and other top officials.

Patil's move comes two days after Chief Minister Ashok Chavan made a proposal of Rs.1,968 crore to the central government for the modernization and upgradation of the state police force, and to help wipe out terrorism and Maoism from the state.

Since the state's resources to counter these are limited, he appealed to the central government to make suitable budgetary provisions for the purpose.

Emphasizing the need to secure Mumbai and the state, Chavan urged for a Rs.1,000 crore assistance towards modernization of the police force over the next five years.

Besides, he sought Rs.200 crore for planned outlay for sophisticated weapons, Rs.23 crore for equipping the state-of-the-art Intelligence Analysis Wing, Rs.50 crore to tackle the Maoist menace, Rs.250 crore for upgradation of anti-terrorism training institutes, Rs.120 crore for state coastal security and Rs.325 crore towards raising a Marine Police Battalion to make the Mumbai coastline secure.