While India has come a long way since gaining Independence, policing in states still is selectively efficient and unsympathetic to the underprivileged, Union Ministry of Home Affairs says.
In its status report on police reforms in the country, the ministry criticised the snail pace of reform process underlining the importance of complete overhaul of the system. “The policing system needs to be reformed in tune with the present day scenario and upgraded to effectively deal with the crime and criminals, uphold human rights and safeguard the legitimate interests of one and all,” the ministry said. Interestingly, the report dated June 13, 2013, came after the rejection of recommendations of second Administrative Reform Commission (ARC) by non-Congress states on April 15 saying that the intrusive measures suggested in the report infringe upon the state’s powers. The ministry said that various commissions set up by the Centre has made many important recommendations since the ‘70s, and the MHA has been making consistent efforts to persuade the states to bring in the requisite reforms in the police administration.
The MHA said that it had constituted a committee in December 2004 to review the status of implementation of recommendations made by the commissions or committees, which had shortlisted 49 recommendations out of various reports submitted to the ministry.
These recommendations pertaining to service condition, professional standard of policing, its role in internal security and insulating police machinery from extraneous influences were forwarded to the states and UTs administration.
“One needs to note that the basic framework for policing in India was made in 1861, and there have been little changes thereafter, whereas the society has undergone dramatic changes. The public expectations from the police have multiplied and newer forms of crime have surfaced,” the MHA said.