4153 VDGs, 32355 SPOs deployed
Rs 16,000 cr spent on SRE in UT
Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Oct 9: A total of 4,153 Village Defence Groups (VDGs) and 32,355 Special Police Officers (SPOs) were engaged in Jammu and Kashmir in different responsibilities for the protection of civilians and anti-terrorists operations.
According to the annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2022-23, the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir was affected by terrorist and secessionist violence, sponsored and supported from across the border for about three decades.
The ongoing militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is linked with infiltration of terrorists from across the border both from the International Border as well as the Line of Control, it said.
The MHA annual report stated that in view of the prevailing security scenario, the Village Defence Group scheme was notified by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in 1995 and the scheme has been revised and notified on August 14, 2022.
“The members of the Village Defence Group are designated as Village Defence Guards. At present, the sanctioned strength of Village Defence Group is 4,985, of which 4,153 Village Defence Groups have been constituted,” the report said.
The original name of the VDG was Village Defence Committee (VDC). The idea to set up VDC was conceived in the arming of ex-service personnel in the 1965 and 1971 wars to check Pakistani infiltration and espionage, officials said.
The VDCs were formed in Jammu region to offer self-defence capabilities to villagers in the face of continuous terrorist threats. Under the scheme, each VDC used to have a Special Police Officer (SPO) as its in-charge and there were 10-15 other volunteer members, mostly ex-service personnel.
They were given .303 rifles and ammunition. The SPO in charge of the VDC was paid whereas the rest were volunteers.
In 2020, the policy of Village Defence Committees was revamped and Village Defence Groups were introduced, members of whom are called Village Defence Guards (VDGs).
It was not only the name, the structure of the committees has also been changed. Unlike VDCs where only SPOs were paid, all VDGs are now paid.
In more vulnerable areas, the VDGs are paid Rs 4,500 per month while others are paid a uniform rate of Rs 4,000 per month, the officials said.
The VDGs functions under the supervision of District Superintendent of Police or Senior Superintendent of Police.
According to the MHA annual report, at present, the sanctioned strength of the Special Police Officers (SPOs) is 34,707 of which 32,355 SPOs are appointed. They are led and guided by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in various assignments entrusted to them.
The MHA report revealed that a whopping amount of Rs 16000 crore has been released by the Centre to Jammu and Kashmir under Security Related Expenditure of (police) and Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Relief and Rehabilitation.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs reimburses the expenditure incurred by the UT of J&K on a variety of security related measures. These include expenditure on carriage of Constabulary, material supplies, rent of accommodation, honorarium to Special Police Officers (SPOs ), Civic Action Programmes, air-lift charges, raising cost of India Reserve Battalions, transport, boarding and lodging, alternate accommodation for security forces etc,” the report stated. “The total amount reimbursed from 1989 till December 31, 2022 to the UT of J&K under Security Related Expenditure (Police) is Rs 10528.72 crore and Security Related Expenditure (Relief and Rehabilitation) [SRE- (R&R)] is 5348.68 crore.”
The MHA report further stated that during the current financial year i.e. 2022-23, a sum of Rs 308.98 crore has been reimbursed to J&K Government under SRE (P) and Rs 198.62 crore has been reimbursed to J&K Government under SRE (Relief and Rehabilitation) till December 31, 2022.
“In 2019, the net infiltration was 141 and in 2020, it was 51. In 2021, the net estimated infiltration was 34 and in 2022, it was 14,” the report added.
The report said that in the year 2022, 187 terrorists were killed while 125 terrorist initiated incidents were recorded. “The year 2022 saw 117 encounters and the killing of 32 security forces personnel while 31 civilians were also killed,” the report said.
“The Government has also adopted various counter measures to neutralise the efforts and capabilities of militants disturbing peace in the UT of J&K. The Government has also encouraged policies to mainstream the youth by providing employment opportunities to wean them away from militancy,” the report said, adding that “The endeavour of the Government has been to proactively take suitable measures by all the Security Forces to safeguard the borders from cross-border terrorism and to contain militancy and to ensure that the democratic process is sustained and primacy of civil administration is restored to effectively tackle the socio-economic problems of the people on account of the effects of prolonged militancy in UT of J&K.”
The MHA report said the GoI’s counter measures also include to ensure a sustained peace process and to provide adequate opportunities to all sections of people in the UT of J&K who eschew violence to effectively represent their view points and to redress their genuine grievances.
The report announced an increase in the intake capacity of MBBS courses in Jammu & Kashmir from 500 to 1100. It also informed that Rs 881 crore has been spent on upgrading of health institutions in the Union Territory.
The report highlighted the swift progress in the construction of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu and Awantipora, underlining the Government’s dedication to providing advanced healthcare services.
Additionally, the establishment of seven new government Medical Colleges and 15 Nursing Colleges is underway, the report said.
Work on several national highways besides Zojila and Z-Morh tunnels is in progress with accelerated pace, besides that construction of Qazigund-Banihal tunnel on National Highway has reduced the travel time, the MHA report stated.
It stated that under Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY), J&K achieved 3rd rank at the national level in terms of road length constructed, and the same rank was retained by the UT during 2020-21 also.
“Work on upgradation of Jammu- Akhnoor-Poonch road (National Highway (NH)-144A), Chenani-Sudhmahadev-Doda- Kishtwar-Anantnag Road (NH-244), Semi Ring Road Jammu, Semi Ring Road Srinagar, Baramulla-Gulmarg Road (NH-701), Srinagar- Shopian-Qazigund Road (NH-444), Zojilla and Z-Morh tunnels is in progress with accelerated pace,” it stated further.
The report said that the implementation of National Mission on Saffron has ensured substantial increase in the crop yields from 1.88 kg/Ha to 4.5 kg/Ha, which has ultimately doubled the income of saffron growers.
The report stated that the project Shahpur Kandi Dam is under execution at an estimated cost of Rs 2793.00 crore. “100% door to door collection has been achieved in all 1085 wards. 1400 crore action plan for integrated solid waste management for 78 Urban Local Bodies (ULBS) has been rolled out and is likely to achieve 100% Collection & Transportation and 60% waste processing in all these ULBS by 2023,” it said.
“Under Nasha Mukht Bharat Abhiyan, Government has covered 1764 villages, 1652 Educational Institutions and conducted 332 different activities for awareness, reaching out to 4950484 persons including 97050 youth. A composite Drug De-Addiction Centre (DDAC) has been set up in District Kulgam which was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.”
The report further said that the Government of India has approved the establishment of DDACs in 7 more districts viz. Samba, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar and Bandipora.
“Under power sector, hydro power projects for 3100 MW capacity have been revived and put on track. Work on 1000 MW Pakal Dul and 624 MW Kiru is in full swing, Works of 800 MW Ratle was awarded. Pre- construction activities for 1856 MW Sawlakote project have been initiated by National Hydro Power Corporation,” it read.
The report expressed satisfaction over the construction and other works going on for the establishment of 50 New Degree Colleges in Jammu and Kashmir.
It said, “Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) are functional in Jammu and the work on physical infrastructure is in full swing.”
“Besides, 50 new degree colleges have been opened and construction work is going on at a satisfactory pace,” MHA said.
The Report has said the budget allocation for Jammu and Kashmir has been consistently increased from Rs 80,423 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 1,12,950 crore in 2022-23 for ensuring all round development of the Union Territory.
It states that J&K is now among the top Stated and Union Territories in India in implementing the Centrally Sponsored schemes.
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