Maharashtra to start police reforms

MUMBAI: Acting on a Supreme Court judgment to free the police force of political interference and make it accountable to citizens, Maharashtra government has announced the setting up of State Security Commission, Police Establishment Board and Police Complaint Authority.
In 2006, the apex court had issued six directives to the Centre as well as the states to introduce police reforms in the police administration.
The State Security Commission will be chaired by the state Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister with a Director General of Police as its secretary. A leader of Opposition as well as a woman and another non- government member will also serve on the panel.
The Commission will give recommendations on increasing the efficiency of the police force and the government will set guidelines on matters like evaluation and review of the police department.
"As per Supreme Court's directives, the Commission's recommendations are to be nearly binding. The Deputy Chief Minister will hold a meeting with the department on August 15 and see whether it's compulsory for the government to follow the guidelines of the Commission; whatever it is, we will go in a legal way," said SA Jaywant, Deputy Secretary to Maharashtra Home department.
The state has also set up Police Complaint Authority. Its chairman can be appointed from among a retired high court judge, retired police officer of the level of director general or a retired top state bureaucrat. The authority will look into complaints against high level police officers like additional commissioner of police or deputy superintendent of Police.
A Police Establishment Board has seen been set up under the chairmanship of the Director General of Police. It will look into the service-related matters of police personnel from the lower ranks up to the level of inspector.
As for the cost of setting up the three committees, the state's home department said it would be minimal.