The assembly on Monday passed budget estimates of various departments by voice vote in the presence of posse of security persons in the House. In a bid to stall proceedings in the House, the Opposition members staged a dharna in the well. The day witnessed three adjournments on the issue of Gujjar reservation Bill.

Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat, who ordered no discussion or reference on the demands of the departments, read out the demands and the House passed it by voice vote. Earlier, the demands of agriculture and animal husbandry department were passed by voice vote on Friday. The Appropriation Bill was tabled by tourism minister Bina Kak.

Home minister Shanti Dhariwal tabled Rs 1,963.71 crore demands of police department. Minister of state for prison Ram Kishor Saini also tabled Rs 72.45 crore demands of prison department.

Out of the demand for Rs 1,963.71 crore for the 82,014 strong police force, 95.88% of the amount would be spent on salary and allowances, 1.07% on administrative head and 0.31% on machinery and equipment, 0.51% on uniforms, 1.59% on vehicles and maintenance and 0.06% on printing and stationary and 0.58% on miscellaneous account in the current financial year.

A total of 1,51,174 cases were booked in 2008 under IPC whereas the figure for 2007 was 1,48,870. The increase in the number of cases is due to rising population and changes in the society.

The police would improve and strengthen its intelligence network and for this budgetary provision has been increased. Twenty police personnel, who died while performing their duties, were paid an ex gratia of Rs 22.13 lakh depending on their pay scales. The state government has announced an increase of ex gratia amount by Rs 10 lakh.

A budgetary provision of Rs 15.92 crore has been made for the proposed police headquarters building and Rs 20.64 crore for the housing schemes for the police personnel.