Police quarters in controversy

VADODARA, Nov 5: With the city police demanding an independent building to shift the Police Commissionerate and its various offices, instead...

VADODARA, Nov 5: With the city police demanding an independent building to shift the Police Commissionerate and its various offices, instead of the three storeys alloted to them at the Narmada Bhavan, the district collectorate has sent a proposal to the State government to allot them an old bungalow on R C Dutt Road.

The issue of shifting the city police office from the old and cramped Kothi building had been hanging fire for over six months, when R M S Brar was the police commissioner. Brar had insisted on three-and-a-half storeys in the B Block, while the then collector could not give anything other than the uppermost storeys. This wasn8217;t acceptable to the police. Later, District Collector Anil Mukim alloted the Narmada Bhavan offices as sought by the police.

But the new police dispensation, headed by Commissioner Kuldip Sharma, dropped the idea of moving into Narmada Bhavan and demanded that they be alloted an independent building, as the country8217;s metropolises. The police even identified such a building.

And promptly, the Collector has proposed to the State Government to allot the palatial Suprabhat Bungalow, behind Hotel Welcomgroup, to the police. He said that the old bungalow was dilapidated, but the police had agreed to get it repaired. Mukim said the bungalow would have been alloted already but since its use has to be changed to office purposes now, a sanction of the State Government was necessary.

According to police officials, an independent bungalow is a necessity. Says Deputy Commissioner of Police Meera Ramnivas, 8220;Police is a disciplined force and its work culture is totally different. To maintain decorum and discipline among members of the force as also the respect of cadres, it is necessary that we have a separate building for our various offices8221;.

She said this would result in quicker and smoother coordination between various police departments where officials would be immediately available for meetings and consultation. And this would also help seniors keep better watch on people calling on various offices.

Additional Commissioner of Police M K Tandon says, 8220;Security of police office is very important. As is the case now, the place is frequented by all sorts of people. The same will be the position if we move to the Narmada Bhawan because offices of other departments will also be located there. To maintain dignity of uniform, a separate building for police commissionerate, on the lines of the one in other states, is not only justified but urgently required8221;.