Rajnath Singh calls for faster implementation of border infrastructure projects

NEW DELHI (INDIA): India’s Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting of Chief Ministers/ Home Ministers of Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir for sealing of Indo-Pak border in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan today.nnInaugurating the meeting, Singh sought the active participation of the States to secure the International Border with Pakistan by putting physical and non- physical barriers.nnSingh asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Border Security Force and participating States for faster implementation of infrastructure projects, effective monitoring, intelligence sharing and inter-agency cooperation in view of the prevailing security scenario in the country. He also invited the suggestions in this regard from the participants.nnMHA made a presentation in which the participants deliberated all the issues and gave their valuable suggestions.nnThe Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje raised issues regarding Police Modernization, security in the hinterland and the peculiar problems due to sparsely populated desert area with shifting sand dunes. She suggested that an Integrated Check Post be established at Munnabao.nnThe Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal drew attention to the problems of farmers having land across the border and the problems created by the smuggling of arms and drugs from Pakistan.nnThe MoS for Home Affairs, Gujarat, Pradeep Sinh B. Jadeja stated that in the marshy areas of the Rann of Kutch, where fencing is not possible, there is a need for improvement in the construction of roads and use of technology for surveillance.nnThe Union MoS for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju also shared his views on the management of border situation.nnIt was resolved that the central and state Governments will work together to resolve all problems at the earliest for effectively protecting the border.nnSingh stated that the inputs of the participants have been very useful and the Government will use these in the policy formulation.nnThe Home Minister of Rajasthan, Gulab Chand Kataria, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Secretary (Border Management), MHA Susheel Kumar, DG BSF K K Sharma, Chief Secretaries and DGPs of the states and senior officers of MHA, BSF and CPWD also attended the meeting.nn***