Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said here on Wednesday that Punjab was a much safer place than other states.
Talking to reporters, Sukhbir claimed that the law and order situation in Punjab was better than in any other state of the country. He stated that during the past five years, the government had made a record seizure of RDX and explosives, made pre-emptive arrests of hardcore ultras, maintained a strict vigil and acted with alacrity on every issue.
In response to a question, Sukhbir said he had given full powers to the director general of police (DGP) in order to have good control of the law and order situation in the state.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government on Wednesday launched a round-the-clock citizen portal, besides a toll-free phone number, to seek suggestions and feedback from citizens who have been denied fair treatment by the police.
Launching the portal in the presence of DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and other senior police officials, Sukhbir said he had initiated this system to remove the impression that complaints at the lower level in the police were not being attended and some citizens were not satisfied with the progress or investigation by the police in their cases.
Sukhbir said this system would not replace the police station, but the complainant not getting justice could always approach the feedback portal through e-mail or the 24-hour toll-free number.
People can log on to www.punjabpolice.gov.in and click ‘citizen portal’ to register their complaints. They can also use toll-free number 1800-180-2082, which has been started with four lines (the number would be increased as per the response).
The deputy CM said the complainant would get a reply within 21 days, and in urgent cases, even instantly. Sukhbir said ADGP (law and order) and his team would constantly monitor all complaints and sent him a daily report. Speaking about the new feedback channel, Sukhbir said it had been introduced to get unfiltered feedback from citizens living in rural areas, adding that he would be able to monitor the functioning of the police and every police station located in Punjab.
Interacting with the media, Sukhbir said he had also decided to separate investigation and policing wings. He said investigation wings would focus on probe of cases and would be equipped with latest techniques and provided training in scientific methods of investigation. Sukhbir said the removal of this duality would strengthen the policing system and bring transparency and effectiveness in the investigation system.
Announcing the launch of the Rapid Rural Response System with a three-digit toll-free number, Sukhbir said by January, Punjab would get 700 motorcycles for rural policing and 245 fully-equipped motorcycles for urban policing. PCR motorcycles would reach within 20 minutes of the telephonic complaint on the pattern of the ’108′ ambulance.
Expressing concern over accidents due to speeding, Sukhbir said he had ordered to put speed radars on every important road to check the menace. He said orders had been issued that every commercial vehicle would have to install reflectors to increase visibility at night.
