The Odisha Draft Police Bill, 2013 is expected to be introduced in the State Assembly during the Winter Session beginning from Tuesday to begin a new era in the police administration.
The historic Draft Bill would be placed in the State Cabinet, which will meet for approval paving the path for introduction in the House and its smooth passage.
The proposed Bill would repeal the Police Act, 1868 framed by the British regime 152 years ago. The Draft Bill was prepared in consonance with the direction of the Supreme Court and basing on the recommendation of the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) and the Solisorbji Committee’s recommendation, official sources said.
The Bill provides giving police some independent authority in its functioning with provisions as to how to change people’s perception towards police. The whole exercise is to make the police people-friendly keeping intact the inherent authority of the police along with making them more accountable, said a senior official of Home Department.
The Bill envisages formation of the State Complaint Authority and the State Security Commission and provides fixed tenure of the Director General of Police which is at least two years and other police officials down to the district level.
A State level mechanism would be constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to look after the transfer and posting of the senior IPS officers, while a similar committee would be set up under the DG Police to effect transfer of district level officials.
The Draft Bill also provides formation of Police Boards to insulate police from political and Government pressure and unwarranted external influence.
The Bill also envisages creation of special investigation cell and separating law and order from investigation duties, besides provision of creation of special investigation cells in the level of Commissioner and SP level in the districts. The Draft Bill has provision for creating a Police Accountability Authority at the State and district levels to inquire into complaints against police personnel.