Modernisation of CCB City wing on the cards

Police force short of 18,000 personnel, says Home Minister

 The modernisation of Central Crime Branch wing of the City police will begin in a week, Home Minister R Ashoka has said.

“Modernisation of the police force has become necessary to maintain law and order and in view of the threats to the City. There has been a spurt in the murders in the City in recent days and steps should be taken to arrest the crime rate,” Ashoka said here on Tuesday.

The minister was speaking after launching ‘SMS Gateway,’ a facility for the complainants under the Sakaala scheme for delivery of time-bound services.
He said CCTV cameras had been installed at as many as 109 locations across the City and the process was on to instal them at 100 more locations.

Easy monitoring

The cameras would be connected to a huge video wall at the office of the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) coming up on Infantry Road, for easy monitoring.

Ashoka said the Karnataka police were making best efforts in providing services identified under Sakaala. He said 92 per cent to 95 per cent of the applications received under the scheme had been disposed of. “The department is short of 18,000 personnel which is coming in the way of extending more services,” he said.

The minister said the government would provide additional infrastructure at coastal police stations in the State. The police stations would be equipped with speed boats and other facilities to prevent the entry of terrorists on the sea route.

‘Leader in e-governance’

Law and Parliamentary Minister Suresh Kumar hailed Karnataka police as the leader in e-governance projects in the country. He said the State police had excelled in adopting technology for the benefit of people.

“Effective application of technology has increased the fine collection by Bangalore traffic police to Rs 60 crore in 2011 from Rs 16 crore in 2001,” Suresh Kumar said.
Praveen Sood, Additional Director General of Police (Computer Wing), said the Union government had sanctioned Rs 56 crore to the State police for e-governance projects.