CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has many innovative schemes for all sections of the society. However, she pays special attention to the Police Department as it is responsible for maintaining peace in the State.
Even during her third term as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa announced a slew of measures to better her favoured department. Not only did she focus on toning up the functioning of the department, she also focused on the welfare of cops by announcing several measures and ensuring it reaches them on time.
Just three weeks ago, while replying to the discussion on the demands for grants for the Home Department, she announced many initiatives for modernising the police force. On April 16, at the CMs’ Conference in New Delhi, Jayalalithaa condemned the Centre for gradually reducing the funds for modernisation of police force in Tamil Nadu.
During the Assembly session, the measures announced by the CM include Rs 1,000 crore package for infrastructure development, setting up of police training schools in all districts, recruiting an additional 19,620 personnel, establishment of TN Industrial Security Force and State Police Master Control Room, providing digital police radio system for Chennai and Tiruchy Commissionerates, providing bullet proof jackets to police personnel, formatting a cyber club and strengthening of intelligence network at the village level.
She said 19,620 new policemen would be recruited over the next 4 years whose posting will be distributed amongst the 1,498 police stations in Tamil Nadu. By filling up the vacancies that arise due to retirement, a total of 30,000 personnel (including 19,620 new personnel) would be recruited through the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board. At present, there are 1,12,363 posts in the Police Department. But despite having such a huge force, there is still a need to increase the strength proportionally to the ever-increasing population to ensure efficient functioning of the force.
Another aspect to improve the overall functioning of men in khaki is by providing commendable training. To ensure this Jayalalithaa has announced a Rs 30 crore package to set up training schools in every district and train over 15,000 in a year.
She also proposed establishing a Tamil Nadu Industrial Security Force, which will solely focus on the needs of banks and other organisations. The personnel will function under a top police officer and will be trained by retired police officers as well as ex-Servicemen.
She sanctioned Rs 10 crore to strengthen the intelligence network with the view of gathering vital information from the village level. Priority will be paid to the prevention of crime. To monitor the progress, a committee comprising Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and the DGP will be initiated. She also proposed setting up a cyber lab to tackle the spate of online crimes at the cost of Rs 60.55 lakh.