• Defence ministry to start working on weaponization of drones
  • Focus now on using defence as a means to promote exports: Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production

New Delhi. 05 September 2022.  Prakash Singh, Former DG BSF, DGP UP & Assam  asserted that India is at the threshold of emerging as a global power and no country can become global power with feudal police. India is facing formidable challenges including internal security and the police is equipped with latest arms and technology to tackle it. “Police has to be modernized, progressive, reformed, rejuvenated and the present generation is smarter in taking India forward,” he added.

 Addressing the day-II of ‘FICCI SMART Policing Awards’ & ‘Making India the Drone Hub of the World’, Mr Singh stated that the police job in India is getting tougher and tougher with every passing year because of the increasing number of internal security challenges which needs to be addressed at the highest level. “Police need systemic changes, which no one has been able to produce. We need to have SMART police which is sensitive, accountable, responsible and techno-savvy. Changes are taking place in matters like infrastructure, improving communications, increasing manpower, improving transport, more forensic labs,” he added.

 In an effort to improving policing in the country, Singh emphasized the role of corporate sector and urged industry to come forward to contribute to this sector. “Industry has a stake in good policing in states and plays an important role in police reforms. If police are competent, efficient and respond to a situation promptly, you (Industry) will have a peaceful ambience. In a good law and order situation, it is the industry which will prosper,” he stated.

 Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary (DP), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India said in the next 10 years, the overall paradigm of mobility and surveillance will go through complete transformation with the advancements in the drone sector. With a slew of policy interventions and reforms announced by the government, it is the golden age for the drones and make India a global drone hub.

 He also highlighted the potential areas for the industry to explore new opportunities including batteries, electronics and chips. “We, in the ministry, have also started working on weaponization of drones and Start-ups will play critical role in this. Not just for the military requirement of India but the focus now is also on using defence as means to promote our exports,”  he added.

 GK Pillai, Advisor, FICCI Committee on Homeland Security & Former Union Home Secretary said that crime is not going to go, and the basic job of police is to provide a sense of security to the citizens. Today, inequality is rising, and crime is going to go up and cyber-crime is going to grow exponentially in years to come. A society will collapse if basic law and order is not provided and this is a major task for the police,” he added.

 Neeraj Gupta, Chair, FICCI Committee on Homeland Security said that the economic progress of any nation is directly linked to a secure and well protected working environment. “Innovation and cost efficiency, knowledge sharing and partnership among law enforcement agencies are the guiding principles of undertaking SMART policing initiatives,” he added.

 Neelesh Tungar, Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on Homeland Security delivered the vote of thanks. FICCI SMART Policing Awards were conferred on state police forces along with the release of FICCI Compendium of Best Practices in SMART Policing during the event.