Parliament Diary

There are 908 vacancies in the Indian Police Service (IPS) as on January 1, 2016. In a written reply to a question in the Upper House of Parliament on Wednesday, MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said, "As on 01.01.2016, 3,894 IPS officers are in position against AN authorised strength of 4802. The minister added, "The authorised strength of IPS in Kerala is 163 as on 01.01.2016. There are 41 vacancies of IPS existing in Kerala as on 01.01.2016." He clarified that the "Calculation of authorised strength depends upon functional requirement of a particular cadre. As per rule 4 (2) of IPS Cadre Rules, 1954, the Central Government, ordinarily at the interval of every five years, reviews the strength and composition of each such cadre in consultation with the State Government(s) concerned and revises the authorised strength of the IPS for each Cadre." "The authorised strength includes Senior Duty Post, Central Deputation Reserve, State Deputation Reserve, Leave Reserve and Junior Reserve, Training Reserve and Promotion quota," the clarification mentioned.

"The security of sensitive buildings in the national capital including Parliament House, Supreme Court, High Courts, Govt buildings, vital Installations and important monuments etc is reviewed periodically," MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju said on Wednesday. To a question from Congress MP Ambika Soni in the Rajya Sabha, he said in a written reply that in the wake of the recent terrorist incidents in London, the Indian security agencies have been briefed to remain extra-vigilant while and ensure proper security arrangements in the Parliament House Complex. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also mentioned in a statement that, "Recently, instructions to strengthen the security of Government buildings under MHA security cover have also been issued on 31.03.2017."

The top brass of the MHA clarified in a written reply in the Upper House of the Parliament that the food quality given to the jawans (CAPFs) deployed under Ops Control of Army is determined by defence food specifications or by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The issue made headlines earlier this year when BSF Jawan Tej Bahadur complained about food quality. The ministry added, "Some forces like Assam Rifles are reported to have engaged nutritionists to prepare a standard menu based on calorific requirements of troops." "In the Forces, Unit Medial Officer/ Deputy Officer/ Senior Officers check food for nutritious value and quality during their visits. Monthly mess meetings are also carried out to look into grievances and ensure further improvements in quality of foods."

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) clarified that the FCRA registration of more than 10,000 NGOs during financial year 2014-15 to 2016-17 got cancelled as mainly on account of non-filing of the annual returns as mandated in the FCRA, 2010 and rules made there under. "The FCRA, 2010, Rules, FAQs and notices or advisories for filing of the Annual Returns and renewal application etc. have been put on the MHA website for creating greater legal awareness amongst the Voluntary Sector," MoS Home Kiren Rijiju mentioned in a written reply. A list of such cancelled organisation is available on the Ministry's website www.fcraonline.nic.in.

The MoS for Home said in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday that Narcotics Control Bureau data show that more than 200 foreigners were arrested and prosecuted under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 during 2016. The Government is maintaining the database of arrival and departure and visa details of all foreigners visiting India under the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration Tracking project (IVFRT). "A Unique Case File (UCF) is created for each of the Indian Visa applicants and all the details are clubbed. So far about 2.70 crore UCF has been created. The UCF data is useful in getting details that may be needed in specific cases. It helps in better profiling of the foreigners at the Immigration Counters in less time," said an MHA statement.