No compromise will be made in equipping paramilitary forces: Rajnath

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Emphasising the need for identifying new technologies and procurement of required security equipment along with necessary training, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that no compromise will be made in equipping parliamentary forces.

The Minister was speaking as he chaired a meeting to take stock of the status of procurement of essential and critical equipment required by the forces for internal security operations and border security.

"No compromise will be made in adequately equipping the forces to take on the internal and border security challenges. Quick and prompt action should be taken by the forces and concerned ministry officials," he said.

He also emphasised the need for identifying new technologies and procurement of required security equipment along with necessary training.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, the Directors General of the Central Armed Police Forces and the senior ministry officials were also present.

Apart from reviewing the progress made in acquisition of such critical equipment, Rajnath Singh also reviewed the procurement process and directed officials concerned to take suitable steps to expedite the process, cut delays and ensure that essential equipment is procured in timely basis.

He also directed the ministry to explore options of further delegation of powers to the forces and to simplify various steps involved in the process of procurement.

In the meeting, it was also decided that reputed academic and professional institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy should be involved to assist in building capacity of all concerned in the ministry and the forces in framing proper request for proposals (RFPs) for timely procurement.