Home Minister R Ashoka said on Saturday that the government was contemplating improving the housing facilities for the police in partnership with the private sector.

He was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the new building of the Vitla police station.

Admitting that the government had been found wanting when it came to providing housing facilities for the police personnel, the minister said: “It has not been possible for the government to build even five per cent of the homes necessary for the police.”

“Housing complexes will be constructed for the police department wherever land belonging to the department is available. Wherever land is available after shifting jails, it will be utilised for constructing homes for police personnel,” Ashoka said.

He said he would hold discussions with the higher officials in this regard soon.
The minister said that the Police Housing Board would give priority to providing basic amenities to cops in rural areas.

The government has decided to grant 400 acres of land for setting up a training unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Belgaum. The CRPF has been requested to provide training to the State’s commando forces. Employment opportunities will also increase for the people in the State if the CRPF training unit comes up in Belgaum, Ashoka added.