Home Secretary G K Pillai suggests reforms in police force

NEW DELHI - Union Home Secretary G K Pillai on Monday suggested reforms in the police forces to root out corruption.

Attending an investiture ceremony, Pillai said a bill would be presented in Parliament to suggest reforms in the police department.

“We have had extensive and wide-ranging consultations with not just the police forces but with the NGOs (Non government Organizations) and various other civil society groups,” said Pillai.

“We hope to be able to present the Delhi Police Bill in Parliament in the Budget Session. I think this Bill will itself would set the tone for police reforms in the states because if Delhi can do it, then I think all other states can also do it,” he added.

Speaking on the occasion, G K Pillai urged civil society groups and the media to bring awareness of corruption, and to bring a transparency in the recruitment process of police officials.

“I think the pressure has to come from everybody, from civil society groups, from the media, from the system itself to ensure that merit-based transparent system of recruitment of policemen becomes a norm and not an exception,” said Pillai.

The Union Home Secretary praised the recruitment process of police force in Uttar Pradesh, which, he said, was corruption-free.

Condemning corrupt practices, Pillai said there should be a check on exchange of money for posts in the police department.

“In every state almost, today police recruitment is mired in corruption. People do not get recruited as constables or sub-inspectors unless money is paid and therefore the first level at which you have to stop corruption is at this recruitment process,” he added.

G K Pillai further said the Union Home Ministry has urged State Chief Ministers to provide adequate powers to the higher ranks of police officials to take decisions on their own for speedy action in a case or incident. (ANI)