By Sanjay Pahwa, Chandigarh : Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced to use electronic gadgets and make videography of physical fitness test mandatory in Police recruitment, as it would ensure more transparency in the recruitment process.
The Chief Minister was reviewing law and order and crime situation in the State in a meeting with senior Police officers here today. Haryana Chief Secretary, Mrs Urvashi Gulati and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Chhatar Singh were also present in the meeting.While appreciating the good work being done by the Police Department, Mr Hooda also directed that telephone number 100 of the Police being its face, the calls on it should be responded promptly and courteously. He said that specially trained staff should be posted to attend to the calls received on this number.
It was suggested in the meeting that retired officers of Police or paramilitary force be appointed on contract basis to train the new recruits in the Police force. The Chief Minister also expressed his concern over the use of mobile phones in prisons and directed to check this menace with a firm hand. He also stressed the need to ensure that no illegal mining is done in the State, especially in areas of Mahendragarh and Faridabad.
While pointing out that there was always scope for improvement, Mr Hooda urged them to act swiftly, timely and ensure fast flow of information not only to let him know of any incident, but also to ensure that media also gets information timely and correctly. In case of any happening, he said that Director, Information, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs should also be kept informed. He also advised them to try to anticipate the incidents and act accordingly, adding that they have all modern gadgets and they should make operational use of all equipments and technology. He added that data concerning crimes should be analysed to prevent such acts in future and improve efficiency of the police force. He also suggested them to upload success stories of the police force on its website so as to make these public and ensure wide coverage.
The Chief Minister also asked them to promptly respond to the phone calls of Ministers, MLAs and senior officers. In case they being busy, they should call back with courtesy. The police must be neutral and impartial and those doing good work should be rewarded. He said that the police being the face of Government should be efficient and its functioning should be transparent.
Mr Hooda said that Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS) should be in place within the specific period, that is by the year end. He would like to see the surveillance and other such systems functioning in the State at the earliest possible, added Mr Hooda.
The Chief Minister also stressed that at least in serious cases, a senior officer should go through the First Information Report before its registration.
While reviewing the issue of parking, especially in Gurgaon, the Chief Secretary, Mrs Urvashi Gulati said that there was a proposal to have a parking policy, which was being prepared by Haryana Urban Development Authority.
The implementation of G.R.P. Rail Warden Scheme, which has volunteers, was appreciated in the meeting. It has about 2400 volunteers to help the railway police. It was also informed that in Haryana, First Information Reports and challans have been computerized. The measures taken to ensure road safety were also reviewed and it was observed that the number of accidents had reduced with effective enforcement of road safety measures through integrated approach. It was observed that at present, there were 2300 volunteers functioning under road safety organization and their number should be increased. It was informed that 9000 drunken drivers were challaned during last year in the State.
The Director General of Police, Mr Ranjiv Dalal assured the Chief Minister that his directions would be followed in letter and spirit and the Police Department would further improve its efficiency.
Earlier, Home Secretary, Mr Samir Mathur, Director General of Police, CID, Haryana, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Inspector Generals of all Police Ranges and Divisional Commissioners apprised Mr Hooda about the law and order situation in their respective jurisdictions.