Pramesh S Jain
The head of the state human rights commission police wing has issued a circular directing authorities to prioritise the allotment of police quarters to personnel who face caste discrimination in securing rented accommodation.
According to the circular issued By ADGP,Devajyoti Ray (Grievances and Human Rights)on Monday on behalf of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DGP & IGP),police housing across the state is currently allotted based on seniority.
However,concerns were raised during a Government Assurance Committee meeting held at Vidhana Soudha on April 28 regarding caste-based discrimination in rental housing.
The committee noted that several police personnel belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were allegedly being denied rental homes on caste grounds.As a result,many were forced to reside in distant areas,affecting their ability to report for duty on time.
In response,the DGP office has instructed all units that if such personnel submit representations stating they are unable to secure rental housing due to caste discrimination,their applications must be verified and examined on priority.
Eligible applicants should then be allotted available police quarters on an urgent basis.The directive has been approved by senior officials and communicated to all concerned units for immediate implementation.
On wednesday,Home minister G Parameshwara told the media that around 40 per cent of the staff in the department have been alloted quarters and remaining will be done on priority basis under Police Gruha scheme.
Many police quarters built during british period called “police lanes:are old and dilapidated conditions across the state.
Such areas are being vacated and being reconstructed to achive allocation of 90 per cent target .
