Private agencies could be engaged for performing the non-core functions of Delhi police, if Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba’s suggestion is taken forward.
Mr. Gauba’s suggestion came at a high-level meeting at the North Block chaired by Secretary (Expenditure) Ajay Narayan Jha last April when Delhi Commissioner Amulya Patnaik requested for additional posts to tide over the force’s manpower shortage.
“CP Delhi raised his concern about the manpower crunch... Home Secretary suggested that the deployment of Delhi police personnel in non-core functions may be devolved within a time frame and the possibility of utilization of services of private agencies be explored,” read the minutes of the meeting that The Hindu has seen.
‘Conduct audit’
Top government officials were also of the view that an audit to assess the impact of increased manpower in reducing crime be done and the “possibility of deployment of private agencies may be explored”.
The Department of Expenditure (DoE) responded to Mr. Patnaik’s request by stating that it has cleared the creation of around 23,000 posts for the police nationwide in the past two years and his request for over 12,000 new posts will have to be accommodated within this. While sanctioning 3,000 posts for the Delhi police, the DoE further said that the proposal for the 12,000 posts will be considered in four phases.
Swati Maliwal, chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, who had earlier issued notices to the Centre on the severe manpower crunch in Delhi police, said, “the situation on the ground is terrible as all police stations are working with less than half the strength required.”
A senior Home Ministry official, however, said the deficit is being plugged gradually. “The Ministry of Finance agreed to our demand for creating 12,518 posts. This is in addition to the creation of another 6,000 posts sanctioned earlier. If all demands have been met, where does the question of hiring private agencies arise?” the official asked.
