The Home Minister has said inadequacies of police in the States and their over-dependence on the Central Para- Military Forces is not a good sign for the federal structure. Mr P Chidambaram said that massive expansion of Central Para-Military Forces is indicative of inadequacies of State Police. Speaking at a meeting of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs, he also pointed to the large number of vacancies that exist in state police at lower as well as higher levels . He said that police-population ratio in the country is much lower than the desired level and there is also wide variation among the States. He also drew the attention to other problems like outdated equipment and lack of training. Mr Chidambaram stated that policing in the country has long been neglected and urgent reforms are needed in the state police system. He said the States are now realizing the gravity of the situation and concentrating on recruitment, training and modernization of their police forces. He said that all political parties have to join hands in reinventing the police force in the country.<br/><br/>Participating in the discussion, the members stressed the need to equip the police force with modern weapons and impart them the necessary training to take up the challenges of the 21st Century.