Center approves merely 4.5% of Delhi's police-staff requirement, DCW disappointed
What's the story
Delhi Police is fighting a massive staff crunch. So DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal wrote to the Home Ministry (MHA) for an additional 66,000 personnel the force requires.
The Center has approved a part of it. A measly part of 3,000 personnel.
A disappointed Maliwal said if the Center can't sanction the full strength, ministers should forego their VIP cover, releasing cops into the force.
Details
MHA sent a four-stage proposal on Maliwal's query
Maliwal constantly followed up with the Center on her request. The MHA replied on May 31 with a proposal.
It said 12,518 posts will be created in three phases, and since 6,000 posts are already being filled, the next step would be divided into four stages.
The sanctioning of the 3,000 personnel was just the first stage, it said.
Why the demands
'Each police station is functioning at half its sanctioned strength'
"I'm deeply disappointed that despite repeated requests, 66,000 personnel haven't been provided," said Maliwal.
She added all police stations have half-strength and crimes in the city are constantly going north.
Against the huge requirement, sanctioning merely 3,000 personnel doesn't make a difference, she said.
A meeting was held in April that had Delhi Police Chief Amulya Patnaik in attendance, along with other bureaucrats.
Suggestions
'With time, Delhi Police may be devolved from non-core functions'
Senior bureaucrats such as Ajay Narayan Jha (Secretary, Expenditure) and Rajeev Gauba (Home Secretary) were among others who attended.
When Patnaik raised the issue of staff crunch, Gauba suggested that with time, Delhi Police personnel may be devolved from non-core functions, like passport verification.
He added plans are on to rope in private agencies as replacements for such tasks.
Training
A daring escape threw light on inefficient police structure
Maliwal's demands are not unfounded. When seven unarmed men of the dreaded Neeraj Bawana's gang fled from custody in 2015, as armed cops looked on, it highlighted the forces' inefficiency.
The Delhi Armed Police, which consists of ten Battalions, claim they don't even receive training for handling high-risk individuals.
Ex-police chiefs repeatedly emphasized that LG and Delhi government should focus on strengthening the force.
Solutions needed
Ironical when Rajnath Singh terms Delhi Police 'the nation's force'
The dismal infrastructure worsens matters. Outdated weaponry and equipment, non-functional CCTV cameras, and poor salaries of constables take away the motivation to work.
It's only ironical when Home Minister Rajnath Singh declares Delhi Police as "the force for the nation" and that "people have a lot of expectation."
However, till the crisis at home is dealt with, 'the country's force' will continue to struggle.
Information
Maliwal is known for fighting for women and children's safety
The Maliwal-headed DCW rescued three minors this week, who had been forced to work as domestic help by plush families in Delhi. In April, she went on a 9-day hunger strike demanding death penalty for rapists of children below 12 years.