Kolkata: The state will induct 20,000 policemen in both Bengal police and Kolkata Police, state finance minister Swapan Dasgupta announced in his maiden budget speech on Monday. This will be in addition to the 16,000 cops – around 12,000 constables in Bengal Police and 4,000 cops in Kolkata police – that will be inducted by this Durga Puja, CM Suvendu Adhikari announced. These recruitments had been held up due to legal issues, home department sources told TOI. “Vacancies in the govt which have accumulated over the years will be filled. The state govt will fill one lakh vacancies in govt offices of which 33% will be reserved for women. Out of these vacancies, 20,000 will be from police…(another) 1,000 from Eastern Frontier Rifles and remaining from other govt vacancies. 10% of the vacancies will be reserved for Agniveer wherever applicable,” said Dasgupta.Adhikari announced that by Durga Puja around 16,000 constables will be on the roads. The large-scale vacancies have been reported from several state agencies, including the West Bengal Police Recruitment Board. A significant portion of the newly announced vacancies is concentrated within the uniformed services and law enforcement agencies to bolster public safety and scale up state personnel. The state police recruitment board and Kolkata Police have collectively declared 38,066 openings. “We will set up at least one woman police station in every sub-division and Nari Sahayata Desk in every police station. Durga Suraksha squads will be set up for patrolling busy city areas and public places. In addition, two all-woman battalions, named after Matangini Hazra and Rani Shiromani will be established in the State Reserve Police Force,” said Dasgupta. For security round-the-clock, Dial 112 helpline system will be established. “I propose an allocation of Rs 100 crore for one dedicated vehicle which will be placed at each police station for promptly responding to emergency services,” said Dasgupta. The state has also increased the monthly remuneration of civic volunteers and home guards. Dasgupta also announced “forensic lab with training facilities will be set up in 50 acres of land.”
