Tourist Visa on Arrival Enabled with Electronic Travel Authorization MHA Eases, Expedites LTV/Citizenship Issues for Minority Communities from Neighbouring Countries BSF Gives Befitting Reply to Ceasefire Violations by Pakistan Timely Rescue Efforts Saves Loss of Lives During Cyclone ‘Hudhud’, Massive Relief & Rescue Undertaken in the Wake of J & K Floods Compensation Enhanced for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riot Victims Safety of Northeastern Origin People Residing Elsewhere in the Country   Year end Review -2014   Enhancing of financial powers of Director-Generals of Central Armed Police Forces,  substantial hike for the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Union Budget 2014-15, launch of Tourist Visa On Arrival enabled with Electronic Travel Authorization, MHA easing procedures and expediting the  Long Term Visa /Citizenship issues for minority communities from neighbouring countries, BSF gives befitting reply to ceasefire violations by Pakistan, timely rescue efforts resulting in the saving of lives during cyclone ‘Hudhud’, massive relief & rescue undertaken in the wake of flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister writing to J&K Chief Minister to identify land for rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, compensation enhanced for 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims and the safety of North-Eastern origin people residing elsewhere in the country are the highlights of the publicity for the Union Ministry of Home Affairs this calendar year.

MODERNIZATION

1.      SUBSTANTIAL HIKE FOR MHA IN UNION BUDGET

Budget provision for Police Modernization, Internal Security and Border Management was hiked substantially in the Union Budget 2014-15 presented by Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley on July 10, 2014.

There was a quantum jump in allocation of funds from Rs. 56,503.84 crore to Rs. 63,585.26 crore in the current financial year as compared to the last year which implied a 12.53 percent hike. The major increase is in the areas of internal security, border management and Delhi Police. An amount of Rs. 500.00 crore was earmarked in the current financial year as special support for rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Migrants.

2.      FOUNDATION STONE LAID FOR CAPF INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

Foundation stone for the Central Armed Police Forces Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi was laid on February 26, 2014. The first of its kind Institute for the Central Armed Police Forces, it will have a 500 bedded General Hospital, a 300 bedded Super Specialty Hospital, a Nursing College and a School of Paramedics.

3.      FOUNDATION STONE LAID FOR CENTRAL FORENSIC SCIENCE LABORATORY (CFSL), GUWAHATI

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh laid Foundation Stone of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Guwahati on November 29, 2014.

4.      NEW IR BATTALIONS AND CRPF WOMEN’S BATTALIONS

In November, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh approved the raising of eight India Reserve (IR) Battalions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, - 2 Battalions in this financial year and one Battalion each in the next two financial years in both the States.

Raising of three Mahila Battalions of CRPF has also been approved.

5.      INITIATIVES ON THE WEB

 

a.      WEB PORTAL ON ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING

MHA launched a comprehensive web-portal on Anti Human Trafficking Portal in New Delhi on February 20, 2014. The web portal serves as a vital IT tool for sharing of information across all stakeholders, States/UTs and civil society organizations for effective implementation of Anti Human Trafficking measures.

b.       DELHI POLICE WEB APP FOR POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on August 8, 2014 launched the Web application of Delhi Police for issuing Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to the people of Delhi who require the PCC for emigration, employment etc.

c.       EXPERT STUDY GROUP SET UP FOR TACKLING CYBER CRIMES

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on December 24, 2014 approved the setting up of an Expert Group consisting of Academicians and Professionals of repute to prepare a roadmap for effectively tackling the Cyber Crimes in the country and give suitable recommendations on all facets of cyber crime.

POLICY INITIATIVES

1.      FINANCIAL POWERS OF DGs OF CAPFs ENHANCED

To streamline and expedite the modernisation of CAPFs, the Government on October 16, 2014 issued orders for enhancement of delegated powers to DGs (of CAPFs) up to Rs.20 crores. The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh enhanced the delegated financial powers to Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces under the Annual Procurement Plan as well as Modernization Plan of the Central Armed Police Forces for speeding up of the procurement process. The delegation of financial powers to DGs of CAPFs is expected to speed up the procurement process and strengthen the operational capabilities of CAPFs.

2.      SHOW CAUSE NOTICES TO NGOs FOR NOT FILING MANDATORY ANNUAL RETURN

The Ministry of Home Affairs on October 1, 2014 said it has issued Show Cause Notices to some 10,300 associations registered under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA 2010) for not filing mandatory Annual Return for the financial years 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 in the prescribed proforma FC-6 with requisite documents.

3.      PRISON REFORMS

Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh has emphasised on the need of prison reforms, by using technology and improving the infrastructure. Addressing the National Seminar on Prison Reforms organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in New Delhi on November 14, 2014, he said that the prisons should be modernized. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the MHA has already issued Advisories to state governments on the basis of recommendations by the NHRC and the Supreme Court of India.

4.      COMPENSATION ENHANCED FOR 1984 ANTI-SIKH RIOT VICTIMS

On December 23, 2014, the Government constituted a Committee to look into various grievances relating to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Government earlier approved the grant of enhanced relief of Rs. 5 Lakh per deceased person, who died during 1984 riot Sikh victims.

The Committee shall oversee the implementation of the payment of enhanced compensation of Rupees 5 lakh per person killed during the 1984 riots. The Committee shall further look into the need for constitution of Special Investigation Team (SIT) for investigating the cases of 1984 riots and submit its report within three months.

TACKLING LWE

The Central Government’s multi –pronged strategy has resulted in largely containing the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) threat across the country. As a result the morale of the Maoists has weakened and the number of surrenders of Maoists cadres has increased substantially in the current year. The LWE violence has also been declining since 2011 and this trend continues in the current year also.

However, on December 1, 2014 there was a major attack on security forces in Chhattisgarh when the Maoists laid ambush on a CRPF patrol in the Chintagufa area of Sukma district, killing 14 CRPF personnel and wounding 14 others.

BORDER SITUATION

1.      BSF GIVES BEFITTING REPLY TO CEASEFIRE VIOLATIONS BY PAKISTAN

In August, the BSF gave a befitting reply to incessant ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

2.      INTEGRATION OF BSF WITH BISAG AT BHUJ IN GUJARAT

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated the integration of Border Security Force (BSF) with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo informatics (BISAG) project of Gujarat Government at BSF Camp, Bhuj ON September 11, 2014.

NORTHEAST

1.      VIOLENCE IN ASSAM

In the first week of May, 2014, there were wanton acts of depredation leading to the deaths of 32 persons, mainly women and children, in Bodo dominated areas of Assam. Out of these 32 persons, 31 belonged to minority community. These innocent lives were lost at the hands of cadres of certain group.

The MHA deployed 43 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and ten more companies were sent. Ministry of Defence also deployed 15 columns of Army comprising of approximately 1,500 soldiers.

The region was again rocked by ethnic violence on December 23, 2014 with the killing of over 60 people. Additional 50 CAPF Companies were provided to Assam for maintaining peace in the State.

2.      CEASEFIRE WITH MILITANT GROUPS

A Ceasefire is in operation between Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) (NSCN/K). The validity of ceasefire extended the ceasefire with NSCN/K for a further period of one year with effect from April 28, 2014.

A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) among the Government of India, Government of Meghalaya and Achik National Volunteers’ Council (ANVC) in the presence of the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, was signed in New Delhi on September 24, 2014. This MoS provides for enhanced autonomy for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council in Meghalaya and also a special package for speedier socio-economic and educational development of the area for which the Council had been set up.

3.      BAN ON MILITANT GROUPS

Notification dated October 31, 2014 declaring the Kamatapur Liberation Organization (KLO) operating in Assam and West Bengal as ‘terrorist organization’ was issued under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

4.      SAFETY OF NORTHEASTERN ORIGIN PEOPLE RESIDING ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY

In February, 2014, MHA constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Shri M.P. Bezbaruah, Member, North Eastern Council and other members to look into the various kinds of concerns of the persons hailing from the North Eastern States who are living in different parts of the country, especially the Metropolitan areas, and to suggest suitable remedial measures which could be taken by the Government. The Committee has since submitted its report and the Government has initiated implementation of its recommendations.

WOMEN’S SAFETY

1.      GIS & GPS ASSISTED QRTs FOR WOMEN IN DISTRESS

In February, 2014, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish an Integrated Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) platform. This project costing Rs. 321.69 crore would obtain funding from the Nirbhaya Fund.

The project involves setting up of city-wise hi-tech Control Rooms to cover 114 cities and districts. This is an emergency response system for women and other vulnerable groups who may face violence. The Geographical Information System (GIS) based call taking and Geographical Positioning System (GPS) based Police vehicle dispatch system will be able to respond to distress calls and ensure speedy assistance to women.

2.      BETTER AMENITIES FOR WOMEN PERSONNEL MANNING POLICE STATIONS

MHA has advised States Governments & UTs to provide facilities such as toilets, rest rooms etc, in police stations for women police personnel to ensure a stress free working environment and mitigate the problems faced by them due to long working hours

3.      STRICT ACTION FOLLOWING ASSAULT ON WOMEN BY A CABBIE IN DELHI

Following sexual assault on a young woman in the night intervening December 5/6, 2014 in New Delhi, the police of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh acted swiftly in close coordination and the accused was arrested on 7.12.2014 from Mathura.

The Ministry of Home Affairs subsequently advised the State Governments/UT Administrations to ensure that such web based taxi service providers which are not licensed with the State Governments/ UT Administrations are prohibited to operate till they get themselves registered.

4.      LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK TO CHECK ACID ATTACKS

In December, 2014, showing utmost concern to the victims of acid attacks, the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh approved strengthening legal and administrative framework to check acid attacks in consultation with Law Ministry to check acid attacks.

Web-based regulation to check unauthorised acid sale, cashless treatment of victims, stringent punishment to accused and other facilities to victims are in the offing.

INTERNAL SECURITY

1.      BURDWAN BLAST CASE HANDED OVER TO NIA

Following the MHA handing over the Burdwan Blast Case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in October, 2014, the anti-terrorism agency conducted searches at various places in Murshidabad (West Bengal) and Assam.

2.      ARREST OF ISIS TWITTER HANDLER

Mehdi Masroor Biswas, aged around 24 years, was arrested on December 13,2014 by the Bangalore Police Mehdi on charges of operating a pro-ISIS Twitter account under the username “Shami Witness”.

3.      OUTRAGE OVER GRANT OF BAIL TO 26/11 MAIN ACCUSED BY PAKISTANI COURT

Following grant of bail to Zaki ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the prime accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, by a Pakistani court in December, the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh hoped that Pakistan government will appeal in a higher court so that the bail is cancelled. He termed the bail as ‘very unfortunate’.

4.      SIMI, LTTE BAN TO CONTINUE

Ban on SIMI was confirmed by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal in July, 2014 and the prohibition on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as an ‘Unlawful Association’ extended for a further period of five years with effect from May 14, 2014.

J&K

1.      UNION HOME MINISTER ASKS J&K CHIEF MINISTER TO IDENTIFY LAND FOR REHABILITATION OF KASHMIRI MIGRANTS

On September 5, 2014, Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, in a letter to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, asked the State Government to identify suitable land for the rehabilitation of about 62,000 registered Kashmiri migrant families. A sum of Rupees 500 crore has been earmarked in the Union Budget 2014-15 for this purpose, the Home Minister added.

CREATION OF TELANGANA, THE 29^TH STATE OF THE INDIAN UNION

MHA issued a notification on March 4, 2014 on the carving out of Telangana as the 29^th state of the Indian Union, out of Andhra Pradesh, with effect from June 2, 2014.

 

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1.      CYCLONE ‘HUDHUD’

When cyclone Hudhud struck the eastern coast on October 11, 2014, a total of 17 people have lost their lives, 14 in Andhra Pradesh and 3 in Odisha. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary Shri Ajit Seth, constantly reviewed the rehabilitation and relief works in cyclone affected States of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

13,256 people (11,853 in Andhra Pradesh and 1,403 in Odisha) were evacuated to safer places.

2.      J & K FLOODS

In the wake of massive flash floods that struck the Kashmir Valley in Jammu and Kashmir in September, 2014, the Central Government provided massive relief and coordinated timely rescue operations in the flood affected State of J&K. The NCMC met every day for the over two weeks to take detailed and meticulous stock of the day-to-day situation in the flood affected State. About 2,78,000 persons were rescued in flood-affected state of J&K by different central agencies.

3.      PUNE MUDSLIDE

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh visited Malin Village in Ambegaon Taluka of Pune district on July 31, 2014. Shri Singh visited the site of the landslide in which 158 persons were trapped under the debris. NDRF teams recovered 31 dead bodies and 8 persons were safely rescued.

4.      KOSI FLOODS

In August, 2014, 44,000 persons evacuated by the Bihar State authorities in the wake of flooding by the Kosi river.  107 relief camps were set up.  In addition, 30 cattle camps set up. Eight NDRF teams were deployed, another seven teams despatched, five more teams on standby. NDRF teams equipped with boats, including fibre boats.

5.      ODISHA, UP FLOODS

In early August, 2014, eight NDRF teams were deployed for the rescue and relief operations in Odisha. Later that month, 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh were ravaged by floods, damaging more than 1,100 houses. The state government set up 167 relief camps where more than 38,000 people took shelter. Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh made an aerial survey of the flood-hit districts of Gonda, Bahraich, Balrampur, Siddharthnagar and Basti on August 22, 2014.

6.      MoS (HOME) SHRI KIREN RIJIJU PARTICIPATES IN ASIAN MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION IN BANGKOK

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju,  Co-Chaired the High Level Round Table 2 at the 6th Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Bangkok on June 25, 2014.  He expressed India’s commitment to reduce disaster risk in a planned manner.

7.      UNION HOME MINISTER ANNOUNCES DISASTER RESPONSE MEDAL

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh on November 8, 2014 announced at the India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi the ‘Disaster Response Medal’ to the forces involved in Disaster Management.

8.      MAINSTREAMING CIVIL DEFENCE IN DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh launched the ‘Plan Scheme of Mainstreaming Civil Defence in Disaster Risk Reduction’ in New Delhi on August 20, 2014. Speaking on the occasion Shri Rajnath Singh said the Plan scheme provides Rs. 290 crore during 12th Five Year Plan for Civil Defence. He said the number of rural districts covered under this scheme will increase from 100 to 240 districts.

FACILITATION OF FOREIGNERS

1.      TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL ENABLED WITH ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, along with Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (I/C), Tourism & Culture and Minister of State for Civil Aviation,  launched the Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVOA)  enabled with Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) Scheme at a function in New Delhi on November 27, 2014.

 The TVoA enabled with ETA  Scheme will facilitate nationals of  43 countries to travel to India for tourism for a short stay of 30 days. On an average 600+ ETAs are granted every day. Till date 10,132 ETAs have been granted under TVoA – ETA scheme.

Further, the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) Project has been implemented in 155 Indian Missions abroad and 415 FRROs/FROs (Foreigners Regional Registration Offices/ Foreigners Registration Offices).

2.      PIO CARD VALID FOR LIFETIME

In pursuance of the announcement made by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden in New York on September 28, 2014, Ministry of Home Affairs issued a Notification on September 30, 2014 to the effect that Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card shall be valid for life time and the PIO Card holder shall be exempt from police reporting / registration.

It has been further clarified that all PIO Cards issued till September 30, 2014 are automatically deemed to have life time validity.

3.      VISA POLICY FOR AFGHAN NATIONALS STREAMLINED

The Government introduced a new liberal visa policy for Afghan nationals to stay in India on humanitarian grounds for two years w.e.f. July 01, 2014. The new policy further streamlines procedures being implemented in the current visa policy for citizens of Afghanistan.

4.      MHA EASES, EXPEDITES LTV/CITIZENSHIP ISSUES FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

Upon directions from the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, instructions have been issued on 17.11.2014 and 15.12.2014 relaxing the procedure for grant of Citizenship and Long Term Visa (LTV) for minority community nationals from neighbouring countries.

The MHA also set up a Task Force under the Joint Secretary (Foreigners) to monitor and expedite processing of Citizenship and LTV applications for the minority community nationals of Pakistan and Afghanistan, on September 05, 2014. In November, 2014 Shri Rajnath Singh permitted the manual acceptance of applications for grant of Indian Citizenship to such individuals who had entered India prior to 31.12.2009.

5.      UNION HOME MINISTER REVIEWS THE CITIZENSHIP ISSUE OF GOANS

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh held a meeting in New Delhi on October 10, 2014 to resolve the citizenship issue being faced by thousands of Goans. The meeting was attended by the Union Minister for External Affairs, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar.

FOREIGN PACTS/BILATERALS AND VISITS ABROAD

Trial run of bus service between Guwahati and Dhaka done, bus service between Delhi and Kathmandu has started.

The MoU on Combating Crime between India and Saudi Arabia has been renewed till July, 2017.

Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons between India and Australia was signed and ratified by the Government.

On November 5, 2014, the Union Cabinet at the meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi gave its approval for signing a treaty on transfer of sentenced persons between India and Nigeria and on Decmber 2, 2014 the Cabinet approved a similar treaty with Qatar.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Government of India and the Government of Australia on Combating Narcotics Trafficking and Developing Police Cooperation was signed on November 18, 2014 in Canberra.

On February 27, 2014, the MHA signed three agreements to further strengthen the bilateral security relations with Israel at a ceremony in New Delhi. These agreements are Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters; Agreement on Protection of Classified Material and Agreement on Cooperation in Homeland and Public Security.

1.      UNION HOME MINISTER PARTICIPATING IN THE 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OF INTERPOL IN MONACO

While participating in the 100th General Assembly Session of Interpol in Monaco, the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh delivered his speech on the topic of “Contemporary Criminal Trends and New Challenges to police cooperation”  on November 4, 2014. He delivered his speech in Hindi setting a new milestone as it was the first time any speech had been delivered in Hindi in the General Assembly of Interpol in the last 100 years.

2.      UNION HOME MINISTER VISITS ISRAEL

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh met Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, on November 06, 2014 during his official visit to Israel. The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh later had a meeting with the Israeli Defence Minister, Mr. Moshe Ya’alon at the defence headquarters in Tel Aviv.

3.      UNION HOME MINISTER’S NEPAL VISIT

The Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh participated in the Sixth Meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Ministers of Interior / Home held in Kathmandu, Nepal on November 19, 2014. He proposed to establish a SAARC Centre for Good Governance. During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh called on the Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Sushil Koirala.

4.      MONGOLIAN DELEGATION CALLS ON UNION HOME MINISTER

A Mongolian delegation led by the Head of General Authority on Border Protection (GABP) of Mongolia, Brig. Gen. Lkhachinjav, called on the Union Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on December 19, 2014. The Union Home Minister assured all possible help to GABP like assistance in capacity building.

5.      GOVERNMENT FORMULATING A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BIRTH AND DEATH REGISTRATION

India will achieve Universal Civil Registration by 2020, five years ahead of schedule,            Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju said. He said that the Government is formulating a National Action Plan on Birth and Death Registration. Addressing the Ministerial Conference on Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) in Asia and the Pacific held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 27, 2014, he claimed that India would achieve Universal Civil Registration by 2020, five years ahead of schedule.

6.      MoS (HOME) SHRI KIREN RIJIJU ADDRESSES WORLD RECONSTRUCTION CONFERENCE

The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju represented India at the 2nd World Reconstruction Conference in Washington on September 10, 2014. Addressing the opening Plenary, he said that the country is on the threshold of creating an Indian Recovery Framework.

7.      INDIA AND OMAN SIGN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT

The Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement (MLAT) between Oman and India, was signed on October 29, 2014.  The Agreement has been ratified by Government of India on November 28, 2014. The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Sultanate of Oman, Dr. Ali Bin Masoud Al Sunaidy signed ‘Agreement on Legal and Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters’ between the two countries, in New Delhi.

8.      INDO-AUSTRALIAN MEETING ON ILLEGAL MIGRATION

Mr. Scott Morrison, Australian Minister for Immigration & Border Protection met the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on July 22, 2014. The Union Minister for External Affairs Smt. Sushma Swaraj was also present. The meeting was mainly to discuss issues relating to illegal migration. In this context, the Australian Minister mentioned that a boat with 157 persons onboard was seized by the Australian authorities in the last week of June, 2014.

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