Punjab

Randhawa Assails Centre’s Decision To Unilaterally Extend Bsf Jurisdiction

OFFICE OF DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER, PUNJAB

RANDHAWA ASSAILS CENTRE’S DECISION TO UNILATERALLY EXTEND BSF JURISDICTION

  • TERMS IT AS A DIRECT ONSLAUGHT ON FEDERALISM AND DEMANDS ITS IMMEDIATE ROLL BACK
  • SAYS CM NEVER RAISED THIS ISSUE WITH GoI
  • WILL MEET PM AND HM SOON TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE

Chandigarh, October 13:

Slamming the Centre for the recent amendment in Section 139 of the BSF Act that tantamount to an attack on federalism, the Deputy Chief Minister S. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa asked the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately withdraw this decision.

In a statement, S. Randhawa, who also holds the portfolio of Home Affairs said this illogical decision was absolutely against the spirit of the raising of border guarding forces, which are required to focus on the international border and act as the first line of defence. He said that policing in the hinterland is not the role of a border guarding force, rather it would weaken the capacity of the Border Security Force in discharging its primary duty of guarding the international border.

The Deputy CM further said that he would soon personally call on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resolve this issue.

Meanwhile, S. Randhawa categorically said that Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi has neither raised this issue with Centre nor asked for enhancing the jurisdiction of BSF along with international border.

Emphasizing the need for excellent cooperation between Central and State agencies, S. Randhawa said that such coordination must be enhanced with information sharing for taking prompt action to resist illegal activities. He further said that joint operations against drugs and terrorist modules have been successfully conducted between the BSF and Punjab Police in the past besides mechanisms for information sharing and coordination are already in place. There are no justifiable reasons for unilaterally changing the existing arrangements by the Government of India, except to weaken the State Government and the spirit of federalism, asserted the Deputy CM.

The above notification by the Central Government, without obtaining the concurrence of State Government amounts to encroachment upon the powers and roles of States by the Centre. The Union, State and Concurrent Lists specify the subjects under the domain of the Centre and the States. Police and law & order are subjects under the State List and are looked after by the States. By conferring powers of police officers upon BSF officers without consulting State Governments or obtaining their concurrence, the Central Government is attempting to distort the federal structure of the Constitution, added Deputy CM.


Also See:

newsonline

Recent Posts

Why do Indian Students want to Study Abroad

From meager 50,000 Indians going to study abroad in 1999, the numbers have risen to…

14 mins ago

Whatfix and Deloitte India Forge Strategic Alliance to Accelerate Adoption of Digital Solutions for Indian Enterprises

Whatfix, a global leader among digital adoption platforms (DAPs), has entered into a strategic alliance…

14 mins ago

The Akshaya Patra Foundation Amplifies the Partnership with BW LPG India to Fuel Mid-Day Meals Across India

The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a non-profit organisation focussed on providing unlimited food for education for…

14 mins ago

Indian Para-athlete and Disability Rights Activist Ms. Suvarna Raj Wins Prestigious United Nations SDG Action Award in Rome, Italy

In a landmark achievement for India, Suvarna Raj, a celebrated para-athlete and a passionate disability…

1 hour ago

Introducing New Exclusive Games on Parimatch: Coin Train and Fruit Box Classic

Parimatch is excited to announce the launch of two new exclusive games tailored specifically for…

1 hour ago

A Diwali Gift for Healthcare Sector: Tech Mahindra Foundation and GIZ Unveil ‘Healthcare-Careers’ Portal for Allied Professionals and Recruiters

In a strategic move to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in India's booming…

1 hour ago