Rs33 crore in Karnataka budget allotted for modernising police force

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa proposed an allocation of Rs33 crore in the budget presented on Thursday for the modernisation of the state’s law and order department.

Apparently, the frequent use of mobile phones and drugs by jailed criminals has caught the chief minister’s attention.

He earmarked Rs8 crore for procuring security equipment such as cell phone jammers, CCTV cams, IP cams, X-ray and body scanners for the eight central prisons in Karnataka.

The chief minister, who tabled his sixth budget in the state assembly, also proposed an amount of Rs25 crore for constructing 31 police station buildings, and also for the completion of those which were being constructed.

Noting that law and order as an essential requirement for growth and development of the state, he said steps have been taken to establish a new commissionerate in Mangalore. As many as 1,035 posts of assistant sub-inspectors have been created to strengthen the beat system in police stations across the state, the chief minister said.

Also, a 1,060 personnel-strong Karnataka State Industrial Security Force has been constituted under the police department. The Armed Reserve Police Training Centre at Meenahalli in Bellary district would be completed this year, the chief minister said.