Mandya: The Police Department which is essential to maintain law and order and should be at work 24×7 to protect people. Though personnel should be alert round the clock, the age-old quarters provided to them is in pathetic condition. Most of the personnel’s houses have roofs and walls that leak. During rainy season the walls become wet in most of the houses.
The District Headquarters, Mandya has 250 constables’ quarters on Bannur Road. However, most houses are unfit for human living. More than 80 constables have put up tarpaulins on to the roof expending their own money because otherwise the roof leaks during rainy season. All the houses have old tiled roofs which has not been repaired since years. A constable told that all the residents have complained to higher authorities to repair houses but no action has been initiated by the authorities. He said despite they putting up tarpaulins to cover the roof, water leaks from the wall. But walls can’t be covered with tarpaulin as home would become completely dark.
Though more than 1000 police personnel are working in DAR, civil and KSRP, the Department has just 250 quarters. Houses are being allotted on seniority basis and hundreds have submitted applications for allotment of houses. The situation of taluk centres is not different. Though more than 80 police personnel in Srirangapattna Town and Rural Police Stations, more than 50 per cent have no quarters. The Department demolished a few quarters in Rampal Road 6 months back owing to them being dilapidated. But till today the authorities have not taken any step to construct new houses. KRS Police Station personnel are facing shortage of quarters. The quarters of Pandavapura too was demolished last year as it was dilapidated. Nagamangala Town and Rural Police Station officials have 42 quarters which were constructed, recently. Bellur Police Station staff have just 12 quarters while 35 quarters are needed for the staff. K R Pete Town and Rural Police Personnel too facing shortage of quarters.
Malavalli Town and Rural Police personnel have 49 quarters which were constructed, recently. In Kirugavalu, 50 per cent of quarters are in condition of collapsing, which has been vacated by personnel. Maddur Town Police personnel are facing shortage of quarters while 28 personnel are staying in quarters.
Mandya Police staff complained that City Municipal Council staff have not clean drainages and cleared the bushes. They said the Department has paid Rs. 11 lakh house tax annually to CMC but civic workers did not maintain hygiene in police quarters.
When contacted Mandya Superintendent of Police (SP) said that the Department has been constructing 216 quarters to staff which are in finishing stage. He said Police Housing Corporation are constructing 18 blocks in various parts of the District. Each block consists of 12 houses. Soon after the completion houses will be allotted to staff.
