Karnataka Budget: CM announces Rs 10 crore Naxal rehabilitation package, 11 police divisions for Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced the formulation of a special package of Rs 10 crore for Naxal rehabilitation and said that the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) will be disbanded.

He also announced that in Bengaluru city police commissionerate, the police divisions will be increased from eight to 11 for “effective policing”.

“Six underground Naxals have surrendered before the Naxal surrender and rehabilitation programme committee during our Government’s tenure. With this, Karnataka has become naxal-free and hence Anti-Naxal Force will be disbanded. The surrendered naxals will be brought to the social mainstream and to provide basic facilities in the naxal-affected areas, a special package of Rs 10 crore will be formulated,” the CM said during the presentation of his 16th record State Budget.

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The CM also announced the formation of 33 special police stations. “With an aim to prevent atrocities against Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes, 33 special police stations have been started under the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement,” he said.

To buttress the police investigations, the CM said that the waiting period for the reports from forensic science labs has been reduced to six months from three years.

“Mobile audio video unit has been strengthened,” he added.

He also announced that the Cyber Crime Division will be strengthened with a grant of Rs 5 crore. Siddaramaiah said that a zero-tolerance policy was adopted against disruptors of social harmony and that strict and decisive action would be taken.

“The Bengaluru Safe City project has been implemented at Rs 667 crore. As part of the project 7,500 cameras have been installed across Bengaluru, and 10 drones and 560 body-worn cameras have been provided.

“Sixty women outposts have been set up across the city to foster a public sense of security among women and ensure prompt police assistance for women and children who are victims of crime,” he added.

Other key announcements:

• Seven police station buildings will be completed and dedicated to the public

• Construction of 12 police stations, one sub-division office, two circle offices and one police out-post building at Rs 30 crore has been taken

• To increase mobility, Rs 50 crore will be allocated under the Police Mobility Scheme for the procurement of 1000 new vehicles

• Two Indian Reserve Battalions will be established at Kudugurki near Nandi Hills and in KGF. A grant of Rs 80 crore has been provided for this

• Under the Police Gruha-2025 Scheme, construction works for 2016 residential quarters have been completed so far and construction works for 2068 residential quarters are under progress. In 2025-26, construction works of residential quarters worth Rs.300 crore will be taken up

• Four bomb detection and disposal squads will be set up at Bellary, Davanagere, Mysuru and Bengaluru Central Zones during this year taking the total units to nine

• Individual health check-up amount for police increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 each; food allowance when on bandobast duty to be Rs 300

• Ex-gratia amount given to the family of home guards and civil defence volunteers in case of death while on duty or during training will be increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.

• An allocation of Rs 100 crore will be provided for the development of basic infrastructure under the Prison Department.

• Grant of Rs 50 crore will be provided for the K-Safe-2 Scheme in 2025-26 for procurement of equipment and construction of buildings

• Aerial Ladder Platform vehicle capable of reaching heights of 52-54 meters will be provided to prevent fire accidents in high-rise buildings

• Expansion and modernization of Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department will be taken up at a cost of Rs 330 crore under the 15th Finance Commission grants

• A new fire station building will be constructed in Mysuru city at a cost of Rs 3 crore