Expedite computerisation of police stations : Patil

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today suggested to the state governments to earmark more funds for accelerating the process of computerisation of police stations in the country.

Speaking at the Investiture Ceremony of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) here, he said proper plans would have to be drawn up for the purpose. In this context, he expressed the confidence that the central and state governments would be in a position to spare the necessary funds.

Underscoring the need for training of police personne, Mr Patil said the facilities available outside the police set-up may also be used for the purpose.

The Union Home Minister said proper systems have to be put in place to collect information about crimes from every nook and corner of the country and collate, store, analyse and use it in a scientific manner.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta expressed satisfaction over the fact that NCRB had continued to maintain world-class norms of operations and called upon the organisation to continuously strive for further excellence.

Mr Patil presented the Indian Police Medals for meritorious service to Mr Darwan Singh Sajwan, Jt. Assistant Director and Mr Chet Narayan Kumar, retired Deputy Superintendent (Records).

The Khan Bahadur Azizul Haque rolling shield for the top merit holder of the All India Board Examination for Fingerprint Experts for 2006 was given to Mr Ranbir Singh, Sub Inspector, Finger Prints Bureau, Haryana.

The Union Home Minister also handed over the renewed ISO 9001:2000 Certification, given by the Bureau of Indian Standards, to NCRB Director Sudhir Awasthi.

Minister of State for Home S Regupathy was among those presented on the occasion.

NCRB was established in 1986 under the Ministry of Home Affairs with the primary mandate of functioning as a clearing house of information on crime and criminals and collecting and processing crime statistics.

Over a period of time, the NCRB has taken up the implementation of national projects on police computerisation and crime and criminal information systems and is striving to assist the State Governments and other police agencies in setting up of data banks for ensuring availability of correct, complete and reliable information on crime and criminals.

UNI