BENGALURU: The state budget may not sound great for the Police Department. But women cops have got what was not hitherto spoken about in budget speeches in the history of the state — ladies-only toilets.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced separate toilets for women police personnel in every police station across the state.
This is more a matter of relief than celebration. But the measure has come in from praise.
Former DGP Garudachar said this has been a long pending demand and “I am very happy to hear that Siddaramaiah has addressed the issue”.
Though it is a sensitive issue, it was not solved for a long time, he said.
Siddaramaiah also stressed on the modernisation of policing by announcing new a forensic science centre as well as applications for early response of the police. He announced Rs 20 crore for the establishment of a new forensic sciences centre at Bengaluru and upgradation of the existing Forensic Sciences Laboratory.
Siddaramaiah emphasised technology to enable early response. This included downloadable apps and strengthening and extension of ‘Dial 100’ system to other districts of the state.
Both Garudachar and another retired DGP S T Ramesh observed that the budget has focused on modernisation of policing which is a good step. A new FSL centre will help in detecting crime, they said.
However, sources said the police department was keen on establishing another cyber laboratory as the state has only one such facility. With less than 10 percent of the cyber crimes getting detected and less than 5 percent conviction in cyber crime in the state, there is nothing in the budget to address the modern day crimes.