The State Cabinet on Monday approved the proposal for enactment of new law relating to the State police by repealing the 153-year-old Odisha Police Act, 1861 framed by the Britishers.
The Cabinet which met here on the eve of the Winter Session of the Odisha Assembly beginning from Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik gave its nod to the draft Odisha Police Bill -2013 which envisages a series of new measures including giving police some independent authority in its functioning to make them people-friendly and more accountable.
The new legislation has been prepared in consonance with some key Supreme Court directives, recommendations of the Administrative Reform Commission, Solisorabji Committee and Police Commission. The draft Bill would be introduced in the ensuing Winter Session of the State Assembly, according to official sources.
As the expectation level of the people is continuously increasing, provision has been made to provide police required training to adapt them with skill upgradation, apart from attitudinal change. The draft Bill envisages creation of Armed Police Units in the form of an Armed Police Reserve for each police district and State-level. Taking into consideration the geographical area, the State would be divided into police range and each range would be formed taking two police districts.
There shall be one police force for the State headed by the Director General of Police with members of superior officials and subordinate officers and the entire police force would remain under the superintendence of the State Government.
A criminal investigation wing would be created for investigation of inter se, inter-district or any other crime of serious nature.
Besides, a Police Establishment Board would be established in the State level with DG Police as chairperson and three other officers as members and similar Boards would be set up in the Range level to look into the transfer and posting of police officers.
There is provision for establishment of a State Police Security Commission to insulate police from political pressure and unwarranted influence or pressure.
A special investigation cell and separate law and order cell would be created. The proposed legislation provides for formation of State Complaint Authority (SCA) at the State level to look into the complaints of grave misconduct against police officers and lok Pal shall be chairman of the SCA.
The proposed legislation also provides for fixed tenure of the Director General of Police for two years and other officials down the district level. Besides, the draft Bill also envisages separation of investigation and law and order agency.
As many as 15 proposals were approved by the Cabinet which include amendment of the Odisha Conduct of Examination Act-1988 , scheme of infrastructure development of technological universities and engineering colleges of the State, one-time settlement of arrear in electricity dues of Government departments, creation of 436 of lR, TR ,deputation and reserve posts of medical officers and restructuring of Odisha Medical Service Cadre, proposal of amendment of the Odisha Survey and Settlement Act, 1958, proposal for amendment of the Odisha Government land Settlement Rules-1983, restructuring of Odisha Police Service and Odisha Armed Police service wing.