The Women’s Reservation Bill may have few takers in the corridors of power in Delhi, but the Gujarat Government has decided to set an unique example in the direction of women’s empowerment. One third of the State police force may now be ‘manned’ by women.
The State’s first woman Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Tuesday declared during a function at the Gujarat Police Academy that her Government will introduce reservation for women in the police force.
“It is necessary to empower women. Thus, my Government has decided to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the police recruitments,” announced Patel without elaborating.
“This initiative will be part of the State Government’s commitment to empower women for their uplift,” said Patel on the sidelines of the passing out parade of 96 armed Police Sub Police Sub Inspectors (PSIs) and 38 Intelligence Officers (IOs) having PSI cadre.
Praising 25 women officers among these trainees - 10 PSIs and 15 IOs — the Gujarat Chief Minister said that as many as 925 female officers have been trained in the Gujarat Police Academy so far and they would require in four bordering districts of the State.
Pointing out that the State has progressively empowered women in the police force, she said, “For the first time as many as 33 women Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSPs) have been directly appointed in the State police force this year. It will give boost to the State Government’s commitment to empower women,” she said.
In her speech, Patel claimed that Gujarat has the lowest crime rate in the country. Praising Gujarat police for making Gujarat the safest state in India, she said that peace and communal harmony is essential to bring development.
Acknowledging her mentor Narendra Modi’ Government, Anandiben said that in the past one decade, there was not a single incident of communal conflict in the state and as result of it smooth development process became a reality.
In order to modernize the State Police force, the Gujarat Government has formed dedicated universities with relevant courses. In the past one decade, Gujarat housed Raksha Shakti University, Forensic Science University and law University. She also pointed out that, young techno savvy people are joining the State Police force which would help to take on challenges of cyber crimes. She also claimed that with more than 26,000 police personnel, Gujarat has the most educated police force in the country.