'I’ll give my best shot to both the portfolios'

R Ashoka, who has been Karnataka’s transport minister, has now been given additional responsibility of the state home ministry. Ashoka spoke to DNA about the challenges ahead.

Is the state well-equipped to handle the outcome of the Allahabad high court verdict on Ayodhya?
I have already held meetings with senior police officers.  Now that the judgement on Ayodhya dispute has been postponed, we have more time on hand to prepare ourselves. We will not allow anti-social elements to take law into their hands. On September 27, I will conduct a video conference with all SPs and we will take all necessary steps to maintain law and order in the state.

What instructions have you issued to police officers?
I have told them, including the director-general of police (DGP), to be alert and on the move. They should not just sit in their offices but visit police stations and see what problems the public as well as the on-duty cops are facing. All senior officials should visit one police station each day. They must travel all over the state and submit a report every week. They should keep a strict vigil in what’s going on in the police stations.

You will now handle both transport and home. Which portfolio gets priority?
The two portfolios are like my two eyes. You can’t possibly choose between the two. I will give both of them my best shot, both ministries cater to the needs of the general public.
Tell us about your vision for the police department.
My first priority is to make the department people friendly. The most common allegation about the police is that they behave in an arrogant manner with the public. I would like to change that.

Officials should be well-behaved and polite. If both the police and the public cooperate with each other, maintaining law and order  will be easier. Officers should be available to help the public; errant officials will be dealt with. You will see the changes in the coming days.

How do you expect to understand the grievances of police personnel?
I have had a meeting where I had told senior officers to submit a report on the problems faced by ground-level police officers.
There are some officers whose promotion orders have been pending for the past five years. Then they face issues related to increments, work conditions etc. I have myself decided to make surprise visits to police stations and police quarters to further learn of the the plight of policemen, so that we can address problems.