Uttarakhand had been one of the first States to have complied with the directives of the Supreme Court on police reforms. This is what Vijay Bahuguna, Uttarakhand Chief Minister, said while addressing the conference on the 5th report on public order of the second administrative reform commission recommendations at Delhi on Monday.
"The Uttarakhand Police Act 2008 incorporates most of the recommendations of the National Police Commission and other Commissions on Police Reforms, such as the establishment of a State Police Board, Police Establishment Committee, Police Welfare Board and the provision for a fixed tenure for police officers from the rank of Station Officer to DGP," Chief Minister Bahuguna said.
"We are considering the setting up of a Board of Investigation, the office of Chief Prosecutor at the State level and the offices of District Attorneys under his subordination and control in districts having relatively large number of session trial cases," he said.
He requested the Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who inaugurated the conference, to provide assistance on 90:10 sharing basis to the States for ushering in such novel reforms. A demand of Rs 21 crore for the regular police and Rs 23 crore for the revenue police for the purposes of strengthening and modernization has been forwarded to MHA for the year 2013-14, keeping in view the prevailing internal security scenario and the sensitivity of the State.
The CM suggested that the Union Government may consider 100 per cent central funding for the modernization scheme of the State, at par with the North Eastern States.
This would enable further upgradation of police infrastructure in terms of manpower, training and modern equipment. In order to keep a close watch on the activities of terrorist/ anti-national outfits, seven special anti-terrorist cells had been constituted in the intelligence branch.
The State Special Branch has also been strengthened on the Indo-Nepal border by the creation of 10 additional units along with 6 units of the local intelligence branch.
State was also considering setting up an Economic Offences Wing under the police set up with a view to easing the burden of police with regard to investigations. Such a wing would enlist the services of specialists on deputation basis from different departments like Forest, Excise, Food and Civil Supply, Sales Tax, Transport and Power.
The separation of crime investigation from other policing functions was more practical for large urban centres. The Supreme Court had directed that this arrangement may first be introduced in urban areas having a population of ten lakh or more. Though there is no town in our State which meets this yardstick, we are considering a restructuring of the existing system on the suggested pattern and propose to introduce this arrangement in selected police stations in the State."
He said provisions for providing free medical aid inclusive of reconstructive surgery to all victims of acid attacks were being made. "A scheme to provide assistance to victims of other crimes is on the verge of finalization. We shall spare no effort to ensure that the victims are treated with dignity and are kept updated about the progress of their cases. Suitable training interventions for sensitization of police personnel shall soon be put in place for this purpose.
State Chief Secretary Alok Kumar Jain, Principal secretary Home Om Prakash and DGP Satyavrat Bansal were also present there.