In the wake of growing militant activities in the country, the government has significantly increased allocation in the proposed budget for public order and security. The government has hiked allocation for the sector in the proposed budget by Tk 2,125 crore -- 10.25 percent more than the revised budget of 2016-17.

Muhammad Nurul Huda, former inspector general of police, yesterday said the increased fund can be used to set up more training institutes for the development of skills and investigation capabilities of the force and to empower counter-terrorism.

After expenditure in other sectors, very little is left for training and skills development, he added.

“So, any additional allocation should be spent on training, skills development and to counter terrorism,” he told The Daily Star.

However, most of the amount will be spent on salaries, housing, uniforms, arms and ammunition purposes.

AKM Shahidur Rahman, deputy inspector general (finance) of police headquarters, said the budget has been increased as manpower in the department has increased over the last one year.

“So, more money is needed to ensure their housing facilities, uniforms, arms and ammunition, to ensure more security for the force,” he said in reaction to the proposed budget.

The hike in the budget will increase efficiency of the force, he added.

On how the fund would be spent to effectively counter militant activities, he said this is a continuous process; they have been working sincerely to combat militancy.

The finance minister, in his budget speech, said they have been able to bring militancy, terrorism and activities of the banned militant outfits under control due to timely and effective steps taken by the law-enforcing agencies.

To enhance the capacity of the police force to face contemporary challenges, there is a plan to recruit new personnel on the basis of actual needs and equip the force with modern weapons and technological devices, along with appropriate training, added Muhith.