Date:03/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/03/stories/2008120360290600.htm

Karnataka

Frequent postings have lowered morale of police: Congress

Special Correspondent

Kharge says law and order situation has suffered owing to repeated transfers

Fix minimum tenure of two years for police officials: Kharge
‘Get funds from Centre to equip police with modern weapons’

BANGALORE: A day after an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on the terrorism issue, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Mallikarjun Kharge has alleged that the law and order situation has deteriorated in the State on account of frequent change in the postings of police officials.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Kharge said 300 policemen have been waiting for postings for the last few months. The State police force has been “demoralised” on account of frequent transfers of officials, he alleged, and urged the Government to fix a minimum tenure of two years for all officials.

Recalling trips to New Delhi when he was Home Minister, to get Central funds, Mr. Kharge said outdated weapons had been given to Anti-Terrorist Cell, Coastal Security Police and Anti-Naxal Squad in the State. Efforts should be made to get funds from the Centre to provide advanced weapons to the police. The police vehicles had not been taken out for want of funds to meet the fuel expenditure. The Government should step up security in Bangalore City since many IT-BT majors, defence establishments and public sector companies have their presence in the city, he said.

Demand

Though the party had given several suggestions to strengthen the security at the all-party meeting, the Government has not responded, he said. The Chief Minister deliberated only on the agenda set by his party, Mr. Kharge alleged, and demanded convening of a session of the State legislature to discuss all issues.

There was no need to take a delegation by the Chief Minister to New Delhi to impress upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the need to sanction a centre of National Security Guards in Bangalore. Mr. Yeddyurappa could have met Dr. Singh during his visit to the State on Wednesday, Mr. Kharge said.

Leader of the Opposition in Legislative Council V.S. Ugrappa also urged the Government to convene the session of the State legislature immediately. The Government had been deliberately postponing the session on the pretext of byelections, he alleged.