The government is actively considering the issues of decentralising the police administration and setting up a Public Representative Board to supervise and oversee the forces, Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed in his budget speech yesterday.

About the extrajudicial killings, Muhith said, “We shall in no way tolerate any extrajudicial killing. All such incidents will be subject to judicial investigation.”

The government has also proposed allocating Tk 5,801 crore in the budget for 2009-10 fiscal for the home ministry to enhance its capacity and strengthen its control over the law and order situation in the country.

The allocation is Tk 99 crore more than the revised budget of Tk 5702 crore of the fiscal year 2008-2009.

Of the Tk 5801 crore, Tk 5254 crore is for non-development expenditure while Tk 547 crore is for development expenditure.

In line with the Awami League's election pledge, the finance minister said, “Fundamental reforms are necessary to develop a professionally competent law enforcement agency that is totally free from political influence.”

The AL election manifesto reads, “In order to provide every citizen of the country with security, police and other law enforcement agencies will be kept above political influence.”

Muhith also said they have taken necessary steps to stop all types of terrorism, extortion, illegal occupation of property, hijacking and such other crimes on a priority basis.

Mentioning the arrest of militants, he said, “We have taken strong measures to protect the citizens from extremism and militancy.”

The minister also said legal actions will be taken against those who support and protect the extremists.

He said efficiency of the law enforcement agencies has to be enhanced to establish the rule of law.

He also stressed development of professionalism in law enforcement agencies, strengthening anti-corruption drive and ensuring fundamental rights.

This will require an additional allocation of Tk 124 crore, he said.

However, when asked about the Public Representative Board, a number of top officials in the police headquarters said they are still in the dark about this.