Kolkata, Sept. 18 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced a series of measures to modernise the state police force, including converting 300 police stations into model stations and expanding facilities such as gyms and playgrounds where space permits.
He expressed hope that the 112 emergency helpline would improve police response times, currently around 30 minutes in rural areas and 15-20 minutes in Kolkata.
Around 450 new police bikes and vehicles will be flagged off at Brigade Parade ground on Mahalaya, while coastal police will receive 50 boats funded by the DMG.
Adhikari said the government was awaiting the outcome of recruitment litigation before issuing appointment letters to 12,000 West Bengal Police and 4,000 Kolkata Police personnel.
He also promised greater transparency in recruitment, with candidates' marks, roster compliance and OMR copies to be made available online.
On narcotics, he said over two lakh Phensydyl bottles would be destroyed in Balurghat on September 23.
For police personnel, he announced payment of 20 per cent DA with the October salary before Durga Puja and a Rs 500 increase in the ration fund, taking it to Rs 2,000.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.