New Delhi, Oct 27 (ANI): Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said here on Tuesday that massive expansion of the central police forces (CPF) is indicative of inadequacies of state police.

Addressing the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic ‘National Police Mission,’ Chidambaram said : “The police-population ratio in the country is much lower than the desired level of 220 and there is also wide variation among the States. He also drew the attention to other problems like outdated equipment and lack of training.”

He expressed concern over the least efforts made to fill a large number of vacancies which exist in state police at lower as well as higher levels.

“Inadequacies of police in the States and their over-dependence on the central police forces is not a good sign for the federal structure. The States are now realizing the gravity of the situation and concentrating on recruitment, training and modernization of their police forces,” Chidambaram said.

“Policing in the country has long been neglected and urgent reforms are needed in the state police system,” he added.

Chidambaram also drew the attention to problems like outdated equipment and lack of training.

The Home Minister informed the meeting that four projects submitted by the Micro Missions, set up under the National Police Mission have been approved for implementation throughout the country. (ANI)