Karnataka chief minister pulls up cops using 'pressures'

Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananada Gowda today said his government would not tolerate policemen bringing political pressure for transfers.

“I have a list of 500 policemen, who had brought political pressure to get transfers to places of their choice. The government will not tolerate policemen indulging in such acts,” he told reporters at the inauguration of two-day IPS Officers’ convention here. Policemen should be ready for transfers and work at any place, Gowda added.

He felt the need for coordination between police and judiciary to improve conviction rates. As many as 150 public proecutors, 4,000 police personnel and 60 forensic officials would be recruited in next six months, Gowda said, adding, there were 10,000 police vacancies in the state.

Raising concerns over revival of naxalism in the state, he said anti-naxal forces would be geared up to check naxal activities.

Meanwhile, reacting to opposition criticism that BJP ministers are not visiting the secretariat, he said there was no need for ministers to be in Vidhana Soudha to ensure functioning of various departments. Gowda, however, said the ministers should make themselves available for some days in their office.

It was also wrong to say that the departments were not functioning since the achievement in implementation of budget programmes varied from 60 per cent to 80 per cent, he said. “I have warned earring officers of dire consequences if they continue to show lethargy in implementation of various welfare programmes,” he added.