Governor H R Bhardwaj on Thursday came down heavily on the state government accusing it of promoting sycophantic police personnel over honest ones.
Speaking at the National Council for Women’s Safety and Security, Bhardwaj hinted that corruption in both the Police Department and the government was hampering enforcement of laws.
“There is a lot of corruption in the Police Department. There have been too many instances of honest officials being transferred because of the good work they were doing. More often than not, sycophants are promoted over these honest officials,” he said.
He said reservation for women in the Police Department, which the state government was not opposed to, could help resolve some problems.
The two-day conference dealt with various issues on protecting women against violence and also looked at sensitising various departments to these issues. An online portal - safeindiaforwomen.org - was launched by the Governor through which victims can take the help of police, government officials and NGOs to ensure action against the perpetrator of a crime.
Home Minister K J George said the state government was planning to set up 10 fast track courts to look into cases of violence against women, sexual harassment, etc.
Providing 33% reservation would go a long way in ensuring women had better opportunities, he said.
Jija Hari Singh, former DGP, Karnataka and chairperson of the organising committee of the conference, pointed out that several things had to be looked into to ensure the safety of women.
“Laws have always been there to protect women against various injustices and violence, but there are grey areas when it comes to enforcement. Reforms in the police system, allocation of more women police officials and sensitising police personnel with regard to women’s issues are steps that can be taken to ensure a safer city and home for women,” she said.
“It is strange that even as we talk about women empowerment, we also have to scream on the streets to ensure the safety of women,” said Shoba Ojha, chairperson of the women’s cell of the AICC.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s speech was read out at the conference.
He said the conference would bring out some concrete recommendations which would help in evolving a frame work and strategy for the safety of women.
The conference will hold intensive workshops for public prosecutors as well as the police.
During the course of the conference, the organisers will also work on a draft of a charter offering various recommendations for the safety of women.