KL Report
Jammu
While claiming that the draft Jammu and Kashmir Police Bill, 2013, is a first step towards preparation of the Police Act which has to go through rigorous process of scrutiny like discussions, debate etc before it becomes a law, Principle Secretary Home, Suresh Kumar said, “The draft Police Bill has been formulated in the backdrop of directions of the Apex Court in the writ petition of Prakash Singh & others Vs Union of India & others relating to police reforms.”
While addressing a press conference on Tuesday Kumar revealed that the draft Police Bill has been put in the public domain seeking suggestions from the general public. “This is merely a draft bill which could undergo changes after considerations of suggestions from public and other quarters”, he maintained.
As per a statement the draft of Police Bill 2013 is comprehensive containing 13 chapters and 155 Sections aiming at making police as an ‘impartial, efficient, professionally organized, people friendly and accountable service’. Some of the notable provisions of the draft Bill are creation of state security commission, separation of investigation from law and order, minimum tenure fixed for DGP and key police functionaries, establishment of police establishment board, administration of the police in Municipal Areas, major urban Areas and other Notified Areas, setting up of Police Complaints Authorities at state and district levels to enquire into the complaints of misconduct and serious misconduct against the police officers which will give a suitable platform to the people for redressing tier grievances against officials and will go a long way in generating confidence among the general public and community policing.
Responding to the media queries, Kumar stated that the state government has taken up the issue of enhancement of honorarium of SPOs with the Central government, the issue of Village Defence Committees can be reviewed and reconsidered and the provision relating to various kinds of public Nuisance is already available in Jammu and Kashmir Police Act, 1927 AD (Section 36).
Clarifying issue regarding limited time for seeking public suggestions in draft Police Bill, he informed that the time has been extended by one month beyond 1st March 2013.
