MLC accuses govt of absolute apathy towards policemen

MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary demanded a swift response from the state government with regard to the grievances of Police personnel, who form the most crucial component of law and order mechanism.

Speaking to mediapersons, the MLC accused the government of absolute apathy towards the public servants who sweat it out for the peace to prevail in the society. Ridiculing the government for the instability in administration, the MLC charged that the Congress-led state government is at the height of irresponsibility.

He said there are around 73,806 police personnel working as civil police, DAR/CAR and KSRP. Besides, there are several of police personnel working at various levels of departmental hierarchy, he said. The decision by the police personnel to indulge in mass holidays and protests shows the extent of saturation level among them.

 The police work round the clock for mere remuneration. He noted that salaries offered are very low in comparison with the states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The state government should ensure basic salaries offered by the central government, but it is biased, he charged.

Claiming that the government is blind towards the problems encountered by the policemen, the MLC said the police work as the labourers at the houses of their higher officials. He said the home minister should take up the issue and immediately fulfil the demands put forth by the police personnel. If the government fails to address the grievances, it should prepare itself for the worst ever, he warned. 

He said the demands such as implementing single window system in the system should be fulfilled. ‘Bonded labouring system’ in the house of the higher officials should be stopped, he demanded. The weekly offs should be compulsory permitted.  There should be reservation up to 50% for the people in service in the recruitment of PSIs and RSIs. Promotion should be made compulsory to the police who have 10 years of service. 

He said that the police should be banned from entering politics. The aftermath of Sringeri Tanikode shootout – wherein the accused was ensured Rs 10 lakh compensation and the police personnel were arrested – has been truly embarrassing for the department. The government should be cautious not to repeat such incidents. Higher officials should be forbidden from suspending the lower officers for inane reasons, said the MLC. 

The health insurance should be extended to police personnel during service as well as after retirement, he said.

The MLC said he will take part in severe protest if the district administration fails to set right the anomalies in the RTE within a week. There are 2.74 lakh RTE seats in state, of which 1,01,000 have been filled in the first phase, while in the district, mere 331 seats have been filled. The total number of available RTE seats is 1,167.

As many as 2,667 applications were received, of which 1,715 applications were short listed.  The confusion in the policy has led to the officers delaying the admission, he charged.