State government to seek Centre aid for police revamp

Home Minister R Ashoka said steps have been taken to strengthen and modernise the police force in the State and a proposal would be submitted to the Central and State governments for additional funds, for the purpose.

Speaking to mediapersons during his visit to the newly built RTO office and DC office complex at Rajatadri near End Point here on Thursday, he said special policies had been formulated to aid the recruitment of police personnel. As many as 18,000 to 19,000 posts of police constables fall vacant every year and the government is not in a position to fill them, he said.

“We need to make some changes in the policies of the government. However, orders have been issued for the recruitment of as many as 3,000 police constables immediately through interviews,” he said.

He said he had recommended to the chief minister to allocate additional funds in the budget to strengthen the police force. The proposal includes housing and uniforms for police personnel.

A delegation will be sent to New Delhi to seek additional funds for strengthening coastal security, he said.

Responding to a query on the alleged rave party organised in St Mary’s Island, Ashoka said he had received first-hand information from the police superintendent concerned that strict vigilance had been maintained at the entrance of the venue and no narcotics were allowed to be carried inside by revellers. Ashoka said the programme was not sponsored by the government. However, measures would be taken to avoid repeat of such incidents, he said adding it was time to put an end to the controversy.

On query over private TV coverage of House proceedings following Lok Sabha model, Ashok said, “It is an important issue and I will discuss the matter with the chief minister.”