Govt mulling 20 per cent quota for women in police dept: Dr G Parameshwar

BENGALURU: Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar visited the Basavanagudi women’s police station on Monday, and reviewed the facilities for the staff. He said that the government will consider giving 20 per cent reservation for women, while filling up vacant posts in the police department.

The minister spoke to the staff and learnt about their problems. He went through details of the number of cases registered, the status of these case and crime records. He also checked the lock-up, toilets and other basic needs of the staff, and spoke to Police Commissioner N.S. Megharikh and DCP (South) B. S. Lokesh Kumar on improving the facilities.

He told reporters that at present, women represent only 6 per cent of the state police staff. “We are aiming to ensure that at least 20 per cent of the police staff are women. We are thinking of providing 20 per cent reservation for women during recruitment. Also, we will sort out issues related to the promotion of women staff soon.”

He also said that ten more women police stations have been sanctioned and one is already functioning in Hassan. “We will take steps to set up a women police station each at all district centres,” he said.

Of 24 posts, 14 vacant
The Basavanagudi Women’s police station, which was established in 2003, has jurisdiction over 45 law and order stations. It has a sanctioned strength of 24 staff, but 14 are vacant. The sub-inspector is on maternity leave and the station has only nine staff members.