The scheme had "no noticeable impact" on the control of crimes like culpable homicide not amounting to murder, kidnapping, counterfeiting and atrocities on Harijans increased sharply during 1997, the report said.

It said during 1993-98, when Rs 29.25 crore was available to the State for the scheme, Rs 1.55 crore (Rs 92.45 lakh as Central assistance and Rs 62.63 lakh State share) had remained unutilised.

Besides, Rs 5.04 lakh was unauthorisedly diverted for expenditure on works not envisaged in the scheme, while Rs 7.04 crore spent on purchase of vehicles exceeded the proposed expenditure by a hefty 84 per cent, the report said. "Over-spending on some components and neglect of others affected the scheme of modernisation of police forces," thereport said. The MOPF scheme, financed by the Centre and State Government on a 50-50 share basis inter-alia, comprised construction, expansion and renovation of police buildings, provision of training aids and equipment for forensic science laboratory, finger print bureau weaponry, communication aids to investigation and VVIP security, the report said.

The report says even though 87 per cent (Rs 2.51 crore) of the funds was spent, only one regional forensic science laboratory against the planned three was set up.

No fingerprint, photo print and document sections were set up in the districts when the target was three sections for each. None of the planned 20 mobile laboratory units set up, it said.

One computer and facsimile obtained for Rs 9.99 lakh in June 1995 was not functional due to defects, while two comparison microscopes computerised with video camera and monitor valued at Rs 20.17 lakh and procured in 1996-97 were not installed due to the lack of cables, it said. In 15 districts 29 per cent ofpolice stations, including 18 in "problem areas" have no vehicles though Rs 7.04 crore was spent on purchase of 188 out of 1,158 of them, it said.