Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari launches helpline to tackle ‘cut money’, warns against misuse

The state government has operationalised the following dedicated numbers:
Cut money/extortion: 155445/155334
Illegal toll booths: 155337
Illegal liquor trade: 155339

State investigative agency, police recruitment

Highlighting discussions held with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent state visit, Adhikari announced plans to modernise state law enforcement. A major key initiative includes establishing a state investigative agency modelled after the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Comparing state police density with national benchmarks, he noted that West Bengal currently stands at 106 police personnel per lakh population, compared to the national average of 155 per lakh.

“We aim to scale our density closer to Uttar Pradesh, where under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, there are 200 personnel per lakh population,” Adhikari said.

To address police shortages, the state plans to induct 1,00,000 personnel to fill 47,000 existing vacancies and expand overall force strength. As many as 14,000 trained police constables will be deployed ahead of the upcoming Durga Puja festival.

Welfare measures, fleet modernisation

Addressing operational challenges faced by field officers, CM Adhikari announced key welfare steps for police personnel, such as a non-political welfare board to oversee officer needs, free from political interference.

He said female personnel will be prioritised for postings in their home districts, while male officers with 15 years of out-of-district service will also receive consideration.

Adhikari said monthly ration allowance for police personnel will increase from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 starting in October. He also said the police personnel will get the October month’s salary before the Durga Pujas along with the 20 per cent dearness allowance.

All police vehicles older than 15 years will be decommissioned and replaced, with mandatory insurance coverage enforced across the fleet, he added.

“Unlike the previous chief minister’s approach, my travel schedule is quite hectic. I travel more frequently, and I understand that this puts pressure on the police officers. During my travels, I have noticed officers standing on the roads with broken umbrellas. That’s why we have decided to provide them with new raincoats, umbrellas, and boots,” the chief minister said.