Karnataka CM Bommai announces Rs 5 cr for police welfare

HIGHLIGHTS

• Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced Rs 5 crore grant for the Police Welfare Fund on Saturday. Participating in the Police Flag Day celebrations, Bommai said crime could only be controlled if the police functioned without any compromise with crime and criminals. “The state government is proud of its police force and I wish it rises to the top spot in the country,” he said.

• He said maintaining peace and order in society and ensuring the security of people was the duty of the police department. “Discipline, efficiency and integrity is important. Our police force is known for its conscience, impartiality and humanitarian qualities,” Bommai said.

• Hailing the role of forensic laboratories in crime detection and nabbing criminals, he said police stations with forensic, narcotics and cyber labs had been opened in Bengaluru. “Stations in Hubballi and Ballari too are being upgraded,” he said, announcing upgrade of forensic labs in Shivamogga and other places.

• He siad the intelligence wing of the police would also be strengthened by a new training system and additional staff.

• Taking note of the initiatives taken for the welfare of the police personnel, he said better health services, bandobast allowance, promotions, approval for construction of 10,000 houses and Rs100 crore grant for their health services were among them.

• “The government has fully utilised the central grant for police modernisation. A huge modernisation programme is needed to prevent cyber crimes and drug running. We need to change the situation where crime leads the law to a situation where the law is ahead of the crime and criminals,” Bommai said.

• Hailing the police for setting a record in seizure of narcotics, he said criminals were being punished under the new rules. “The war against narcotics should go on relentlessly. Awareness should be created among school and college students against drug addiction,” he said.

• Bommai also instructed the DCs and SPs of all districts to take necessary measures to ensure peaceful celebration of ‘Hosathodaku’. “Festivals should be celebrated without any disruption in law and order,” he said.

CONCLUSION

• On a question about a campaign by some pro-Hindu outfits against halal meat, Bommai said officials had been instructed to hold peace meetings in their areas to ensure peaceful celebration of the festival.