The Hindu : Kerala News : Eight-hour duty schedule in 17 police stations

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Wednesday, Aug 02, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Eight-hour duty schedule in 17 police stations

Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Tuesday said that the Government had initiated steps to fill the 2000-odd posts that were lying vacant in the police force. He was speaking after inaugurating the eight-hour duty schedule being introduced at police stations in the 17 police districts of the State at a function at the Cantonment police station here. The Minister said 2,000 of the 4,000 vacant posts in the force had been filled.

Mr. Balakrishnan said the Government was concerned about the welfare of police personnel. It wanted to improve their working conditions. All personnel who had put in 15 years of service in local police would be promoted as head constables and all who had put in 23 years of service would be promoted as assistant sub-inspectors. "The promotions, which are a long-pending demand, will improve the efficiency of the force. The Government is ready to provide the necessary facility and look into the genuine demands of the personnel within the financial constraints," he said.

The Government had decided to set up the facility for visitors at all police stations and computerise the stations under the modernisation programme. Barrack-cum-station of 400 sq. ft. with a restroom would be constructed at all police stations in the State.

Not a shift system

The Minister reminded police personnel that the eight-hour duty system was not a shift system. Shift system could not be introduced as the force lacked adequate personnel. The new system would be extended step by step to other police stations, if found successful.

"The police have to work round-the-clock as they have to protect the life and property of the people," Mr. Balakrishnan added.

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