Karnataka opposed to fixed tenure for police officials

New Delhi, Dec 30 (UNI) The Karnataka government has expressed opposition to the recommendations of the Police Commission recommending a two year fixed tenure for the police officials as well as a Police Establishment Board to look into postings, promotions and transfer of officials not below the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police.

Karnataka Home Minister M P Prakash, who attended the meeting of Chief Ministers and Home Ministers, convened by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to ascertain the views of the states on the recommendations of various Police Reforms Commissions including the one headed by Mr Soli Sorabjee before ahead of the deadline of January 3, fixed by the Supreme Court to file their affidavits, said that most states were opposed to these recommendations.

Articulating the views of the state government on fixed tenure, Mr Prakash said although it was 'acceptable and desirable' to some extent, the state government could not accept the suggestion since the states who had to bear the responsibility of law and order situation could not abdicate their right to transfer the erring official in the event of complaints of corruption and inefficiency.

About the recommendation to set up Police Establishment Board to look into the transfers of senior police officials, he said in Karnataka, there existed a 'fair and transparent' Departmental Promotion Committee under the Karnataka Police Act and the process had stood the test of time. Such a Board was not needed.

On the recommendation of the Police Commission that the selection of Chiefs of Police Department through Union Public Service Commission, the Karnataka Minister said selection of Director General and Inspector General of Police should be the responsibility of the State Government and the UPSC had no authority to evaluate the performance of the official. Even today the State Government had made the appointment of the new DG and IG of police, he noted.

Mr Prakesh said there was near unanimity in states accepting the recommendation to bifurcate Law and Order and Crime responsibilities.

In Karnataka, this responsibility had been delineated up to the level of Station House Officer, he said.

Karnataka's views were in tune with the views taken by other states like West Bengal, Tripura, Orissa, Asom, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, he said, adding that this government, would place its views before the Apex Court in the affidavit form on all these issues well ahead of the Supreme Court deadline, he said.

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