Taking Stock
When I took charge on 30th June 2008 as chief of the Karnataka police force, I had set out certain targets for myself which I promised to tackle on a priority basis during my tenure. These are set out in column 1 of the table below. Having completed two months in the hot seat this week, I thought it would be a good time to take stock and – with your help – identify new areas which need the focus of the DG&IGP of the State. Column 2 captures in brief what my team and I have actually done so far in the last 2 months. I also intend to create a poll link in Column 3 to enable all stakeholders to evaluate our work and give your feedback. Once the link is operational, I am sure I will be hearing from you regularly!
Target Self assessment Your feedback and comments 1. Launch of new website www.ksp.gov.in and removal of all glitches in the old site www.karnatakastatepolice.org New website set up in July. We have been innovating periodically to bring you updates on your passport verification status, and crime reports and police news from the districts. I have however not been able to ensure the addition of a new application / feature every week, though this was intended. This will be sorted out shortly. Some glitches in the old site www.karnatakastatepolice.org still persist. Please help bring these to my notice! 2. Dissemination of all important information to those interested through websites – e.g. newspersons can get RSS feed of updates Our district SPs are increasingly uploading news from their respective districts directly onto the website on the central server. Audio and video conferences have been held with these officers to improve their contribution to the website. These efforts will continue. 3. Activating an online complaint receipt and registration, as well as status updates on investigation, along with a method of verification and checks to prevent mischievous complaints This feature is available on the new website, but updating the latest investigation status of all cases will take some more time. We are working on putting in place a system whereby online complaints can be verified by police officers. It is intended that officers will visit the house of the complainant to verify the complaint, take her/his signature on a printout and register FIRs at the station. 4. Selected reshuffle of police officials to make policing professional and people friendly The Government has reallocated responsibilities at several levels upon assuming office. With the welcome announcement of the CM that transfers will now be effected only to address exigencies, it is hoped that the officers will now quickly settle down in their new roles and focus on serving you better. 5. Setting up an annual workplan for all officers and personnel I have introduced the concept to my team in the Chief Office, and also some colleagues in the field. It is however quite challenging to get everyone on board. My efforts on this front need to be redoubled! 6. Getting extra resources from the Government for modernising the police force. The current annual police expenditure is Rs 1600 crores, which is 80 paise per capita. The target is to make it at least Re 1 per capita The Government has graciously granted an additional Rs 25 crores as resources for the police, in addition to the original budget proposal. I also have the assurance of our leadership that more is on the way, as and when we spend the money meaningfully. My force and I thank the Government for its continuing support. 7. Completing the draft of a new Karnataka Police Act and seeking opinions on it through wide circulation and open public debate Shri Kuchanna Srinivasan and his team are doing this diligently; their second draft is almost ready. This will be debated in regional meetings once the police officers have discussed and finalised the draft and sent the same to the Government. Our target is to see fruition of our efforts by the next winter session of the Karnataka Assembly. 8. Installing a video surveillance and security system for the Vidhana Soudha, and opening new police stations for catering to the users of the new International Airport at Devanahalli This is done. The surveillance system was made operational recently and will be formally inaugurated on 9/9/08. Some new police stations are scheduled to be opened this month. A committee is being set up for comprehensive reorganisation of all police stations in the State. In the meanwhile, please go through my blog on ‘Anywhere Policing!’ and offer your suggestions! 9. Reviewing and revamping the wings dealing with traffic, terrorism and the anti-hooch enforcement Our work at the Chief Office is nearing completion; discussions with the Government will take place soon. 10. Improving intelligence gathering mechanisms Some efforts are already underway, but these cannot be shared in this forum.
