All-woman police stations to be revamped

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, AUG. 1. Expressing concern at the rising number of crimes against women, the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, today asked the Collectors to activate the district-level Women Advisory Committees.

Addressing the conference of Collectors and police officers, she said the State Government would revamp all-woman police stations with a new set of sensitised personnel. A helpline to render emergency services to women in distress would be established in these police stations.

More such police stations would be created in the State. Collectors and Superintendents of Police should work in close coordination for the successful functioning of these police stations, she said.

Citing a marked decline in the State's performance in reducing the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate, she asked the Collectors to ensure quality health service to the people at government medical institutions.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern at the neglect of basic infrastructural facilities such as hostels for poor students established especially for the weaker sections. In this context, she underscored the importance of ``personal involvement and commitment'' on the part of the officers implementing social sector schemes.

Ms. Jayalalithaa revealed that she had received 2,18,688 petitions from people. Of these 1,50,000 petitions had already been forwarded to the Collectors and heads of departments for necessary action. Another 60,000 petitions would be handed over to the Collectors. ``I would request you to accord top-most priority to the petitions received, not only from the Chief Minister's Special Cell, but also from other sources and see that they are given fair and just disposal,'' she said.

In this context, Ms. Jayalalitha said she was reviving the prize for the Special Deputy Collectors manning the Public Grievances Redressal Cell in the districts. Further, shields would be awarded to the best districts starting from the current year. The Collectors who adopted innovative approaches to mitigate the sufferings of the people would be awarded the Chief Minister's Medal.

Road accidents

The Chief Minister said another area that was causing concern was the steady increase in the number of road accidents and deaths. The major causes of the accidents were the increase in the number of vehicles, lack of periodic maintenance of roads, lack of awareness among road users about traffic rules and regulations, and ineffective enforcement of rules. The Collectors could play a proactive role in implementing various road safety measures through the District Road Safety Councils, she said.

The Chief Minister said there was need for revamping the system of recognising the good performance and achievements of the Collectors. The revamping must be based on the revised priorities and the new thrust areas of the Government. The implementation of the welfare schemes for women and the underprivileged, Adi Dravidars and tribals, backward classes and most backward classes would receive due weightage in the new system.

The Chief Secretary, Mr. P. Shankar, asked officers to give their full and frank views at the conference. At the same time, he assured the Chief Minister that officers would work understanding her priorities and following her guidelines.

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Section  : Southern States
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