Kerala demands Marine Academy, Detective school

New Delhi, Dec 11 (UNI) Kerala has urged the Centre to set up a National Marine Training Academy and a Central Detective Training School in the state.

State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan today called on Home Minister Shivraj Patil and raised the demands, while expressing the state's readiness to make available 53 acres of land, near the Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kochi, for setting up the marine academy.

Mr Balakrishnan said more land would be provided for the project, when Mr Patil pointed out that 53 acres would not be suffice.

He said he offered all help to create basic infrastructure for setting up a Central Detective Training School. The state had been demanding such a school to be set up in Thrissur in Central part of he state.

Mr Balakrishnan pointed out that the location of a detective training school would help to improve the efficiency of Kerala police. It could also be used for training the police personnel of the South Indian states.

Mr Patil assured to consider the request relating to detective school.

Mr Balakrishnan's other demands included : sanctioning of an India Reserve Battalion in Kerala and clearance for the Rs 92-crore proposal submitted to the Centre for modernisation of fire force.

The State Minister asked the Centre to provide substantial assistance under the proposed coastal security scheme.

He told Mr Patil that the Centre should make available Rs 7.5 crore assistance per year for creation of new posts for the coastal police. Such an assistance should be continued for the first five years.

Mr Balakrishnan requested the Home Minister to sanction one more coastal security police station at Ponnani in north Kerala, in addition to the eight sanctioned already.

Mr Patil promised to consider the request during the second stage. As many as 63 coastal police stations are being opened under the first phase.

UNI SH KD ND1934