The Jaipur blasts were followed by a series of high-level review meetings and by now, several proposals have been set in motion. The rethink on over-dependence on technical intelligence and the under-utilisation of human intelligence began with presentations given to the Union Cabinet by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar shortly after the blasts.

Chandrasekhar told The Indian Express: “We need an effective technical intelligence system to be supported by sound human intelligence. Over the years, there has been a decline in the quality of human intelligence being gathered and we need to activate the intelligence gathering apparatus of the state CIDs, the local revenue Departments and even the Station House Officers at police stations who are all repositories of crucial information.”

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta concurred with his view and said that several initiatives have been taken in the Home Ministry — two weeks ago, he held a conference with Director Generals of Police of select states on the subject of revamping state intelligence units.

“At present, intelligence gathering is allotted only 5% of the budget from the state police modernisation plan,” Gupta said. “This is obviously not sufficient and we are proposing to make intelligence gathering a sub-component of the scheme with an enhanced financial outlay.”

Besides an enhanced Central fund to states for intelligence gathering, other significant initiatives include:

•A sizeable augmentation of the strength of Intelligence Bureau (IB) personnel posted in state units. Sources said an increase of about 2,000 personnel was on the cards, which the IB has been long demanding and which will also take care of the enhanced demand for immigration personnel posted at new airports.

•The Director of the Intelligence Bureau is to hold a conference later this month with state police and intelligence chiefs to focus on the lack of coordination with Central intelligence units and the depleted quality of field intelligence.

•On directions of the Home Ministry, a committee has been set up in the Intelligence Bureau which is shortly to submit its proposals on the quantum of enhanced Central spending for intelligence gathering purposes; the requirement of increased manpower and technical assistance to each state and a scheme to dovetail intelligence gathered by Central and state intelligence units.

•Following the Home Secretary’s meeting with DGPs, several states, like Jharkhand, have submitted proposals to the Centre for creation of an exclusive intelligence cadre. These proposals are presently being examined and a final decision will be taken once the IB committee submits its report.

Both the Cabinet Secretary and Home Secretary emphasised that there was now a realisation that along with superior technology and electronic surveillance, there was a pressing need to involve foot soldiers of the state administration in intelligence gathering and dissemination. Cabinet Secretary Chandrasekhar said: “The local Tehsildar, Patwari, District Collector, Revenue officers and beat constables have all to be sensitive to the problem. Whatever help is needed from the Centre will be forthcoming.”