Reports noted that with the increasing inter-state ramifications of crimes and terror networks, the Union Home Ministry was putting in place the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) - a hi-tech system covering almost all of the 14,000 police stations. The network aims at providing the Investigating Officers (IO) with technology, tools, and information to facilitate investigation of crime as well as facilitate in the detection of criminals. The Planning Commission had also given in-principle approval for the major e-governance initiative during the XIth Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs. 2,000 crores.

The system was intended to improve the functioning of police forces in maintaining law and order, traffic management, prevention of crime, besides keeping track of the progress of cases. It also aims at making the functioning of police more transparent and citizen friendly. Electronic data exchange with other computerized systems in courts, jails, passport and transport sector was expected to help reduce manual records keeping and ensure savings on stationery, postage and traveling expenses. Initially conceived as Common Integrated Police Application (CIPA) for automation of work flow at police stations, a similar scheme was launched in 2004-051.

• 1. “Countrywide hi-tech network to track down terrorists,” Daily Excelsior, September 8, 2008, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/08sep08/news.htm#2