West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday said 300 police stations in the state were being converted into model stations and expressed hope that the 112 emergency helpline would improve police response time.
The government was also expanding facilities at police stations wherever space was available, with plans to set up gyms and playgrounds, he said.
“We are converting 300 police stations into model stations. We are also adding facilities at police stations where there is space and plan to set up gyms and playgrounds,” Adhikari said.
He added, “I am hopeful that once the 112 emergency helpline is made operational, we will be able to surpass Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra in terms of quick response by police.”
Currently, police reach rural areas within around 30 minutes after receiving a call, while the response time in Kolkata is around 15 to 20 minutes, he said.
The CM also said around 450 new police bikes and vehicles would be flagged off from the Brigade Parade ground on Mahalaya.
“For the coastal police, we will be providing 50 new boats funded by the DMG,” he said.
Adhikari said the government was also working to strengthen the police force by recruiting more personnel.
“The matter of police recruitment is currently before the court. We hope the litigation will end soon and appointment letters could be issued to 12,000 personnel for West Bengal Police and 4,000 in Kolkata Police,” he said.
He said once the recruitment results are out, it would be published on the government website, along with candidates’ scores and details of roster compliance, while OMR copies would be provided instantly.
“I have instructed the chairman of the recruitment board that no hiring will be done via text messages like it used to be done during the previous government. The names should be put up on the website, including their scores in written tests, viva and academic (score), and also whether the roster was properly maintained,” he said.
On the government’s anti-narcotics efforts, Adhikari said more than two lakh bottles of phensydyl would be destroyed in Balurghat on September 23.
He also announced measures concerning the welfare of police personnel, including payment of 20 per cent of the DA along with the October salary before Durga Puja and an increase of Rs 500 in the ration fund.
“You (police force) will get 20 per cent of the DA along with your October salary before Durga Puja. We have enhanced the fund for ration by Rs 500, which was Rs 1,500. Will try to do something more in the future,” he said.
-PTI
