35 per cent reservation for women in Bihar police

        

-SANTOSH KUMAR 

 Women will now get 35 per cent reservation in recruitment to Bihar police force. This announcement was made by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on the occasion of 101st Bihar Day recently

As many as 815 women inspectors will be appointed in Bihar police while 9,117 women constables will be recruited directly. This reservation will be over and above the 3 per cent reservation already in place for OBC women.

A couple of years back, the state government had decided to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayats and this decision has had a major impact on the society at large in the state. Women are now emerging out of the four walls of their homes and participating in the process of solving the problems of the people.

Reservation for women in the police force will, on one hand, serve to curb domestic violence, harassment, rape and other crimes against women and, on the other, the launching of Mahila Thanas (Women police stations) will provide an opportunity to the women to develop their personalities. It will also curb the incidents of misbehaviour with women in police stations and women will be able to boldly register complaints of injustice with and violence against them in police thanas, thus paving the way for securing justice to them.

The series of steps taken by the chief minister Nitish Kumar for empowerment of women are proving to be milestones. Whether it be the Mukhyamantri Bicycle Scheme or the Mukhyamantri Girls’ Uniform Scheme, revolutionary changes are being brought about in every field. Needless to say, no state can progress unless half of its residents are educated and self-dependent.

The state government has decided to recruit 43,761 personnel in the police force over the next five years. Of these, 28,696 posts are to be filled through direct recruitment, including 26,049 constables and 2,330 inspectors. At present, the sanctioned strength of the Bihar police force is 85,164. There are 88 police personnel over every one lakh residents in Bihar whereas the national average is 125. In the review meeting of the home department, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the officers to draw up a policy for recruitment of women in police force and forward it for the approval of the council of ministers.

                                                     (Published in  Forward Press,  May, 2013 Issue)