If the government has its way, then private companies can get the services of home guards, the auxiliary uniformed force assisting the police.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa directed officials to review a proposal to this effect during a meeting to review the Home Department.
It was also decided in the meeting that the services of more than 3,000 home guards, who are at the risk of losing their jobs, should be continued by deputing them to different departments.
Home guards are often deployed to help the police manage traffic, and also assist paramilitary and rescue personnel during natural calamities.
Yediyurappa also instructed officials to strengthen the CEN (cyber crime, economic offices and narcotics) police stations. There are eight CEN police stations in Bengaluru and the government wants to set one up in each district. Yediyurappa also said that the forensic labs will be strengthened to “hasten the investigation of crimes.”
Officials told Yediyurappa that all precautionary measures has been taken in prisons in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and that not a single positive case has been reported. “As per Supreme Court directions, 5,005 prisoners have been released on bail and parole. Overcrowding of prisoners in the prisons has been reduced from 110 per cent to 95 per cent,” the CM was told, according to a statement.
Yediyurappa also asked for a proposal on the development of infrastructure in all the departments that come under the Home Department. He warned action against officers involved in any misuse of funds, especially those deposited in banks.