Date:26/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/26/stories/2005052606970100.htm

Tamil Nadu

Centre seeks sub-plan for Mega City Policing scheme

Special Correspondent

Meeting to discuss modernisation of State police force

CHENNAI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has requested the State Government to include a sub-plan for Mega City Policing for Chennai under the scheme for Modernisation of State Police Force for 2005-06. A special meeting to discuss this concept is being convened in New Delhi during August-September this year.

This follows the formulation of a Mega City Police Modernisation Programme, as suggested by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, to assist State governments in providing necessary infrastructure and manpower to cope with challenges posed by rapid urbanisation. According to an official press release, Ms. Jayalalithaa, during the Conference on Internal Security and Law and Order held in New Delhi on April 15, placed a specific request before the Government of India to consider creating a separate Mega Cities Police Modernisation Programme. Following this, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, in a letter dated May 13, requested the State Government for the sub-plan.

The acceptance of this concept of a sub-plan was "yet another triumph" for the "vision and innovative brilliance" of Ms. Jayalalithaaa, the press release added. "This also highlights the fact that Tamil Nadu is a pioneering State in adopting innovative and path-breaking measures for ensuring the security and well-being of the people of the State." The Chief Minister had ordered that 41 law and order police stations and seven All Women Police Stations, which were part of Chengalpattu East District, be brought under the control of the Chennai City Police Commissionerate. Besides the merger of various areas into a unified command, this measure involved realignment and readjustment of the jurisdiction of the police administration.

The creation of three new police districts, a new traffic district and a new police sub-division at Tambaram would upgrade the policing in Greater Chennai. The Government had sanctioned Rs. 22.40 crores to implement this scheme, the release said.

The Greater Chennai Commissionerate consists of 155 police stations, including 34 All Women Police Stations.