TN to weed out bogus FIR forms

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to print FIR forms only in government presses under strict vigil.

The decision comes in wake of the scam in which false insurance claims were made on a largescale using the fake FIRs.

The scam, in which many lower level police officers were allegedly involved, came to light during the previous AIADMK rule when a Tamil eveninger exposed it.

Replying to a debate on the demands for grants for Police department, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi informed the state Assembly on Wednesday that the government would give up the practice of printing these forms in private presses.

Some parties had demanded a CBI probe into the scam alleging investigation by the state police would only help cover up the case as 'state officials were involved' in it.

Karunanidhi also announced that the public could lodge complaints at any police station, irrespective of the spot of the occurrence of the crime or police station jurisdiction.

The police stations should register FIRs as soon as they received the complaints and forward them for further investigation to concerned police stations.

He said undertrials in prisons for more than ten years would be released on September 15, the birth anniversary of DMK founder C N Annadurai.

Karunanidhi said that the upper age limit for promotion of police personnel from head constable rank to DSP level would be abolished as the criteria had led to a situation wherein several policemen had to retire without promotion.

At present, head constables have to take tests for promotion to sub-inspector, he said adding this practice would be abolished and promotion would be given based on seniority and service record.

The government had decided to recruit 10,000 constables and 5,000 of this would be in the first phase.

The monthly risk allowance for constables, head constables, sub-inspectors and inspectors which was Rs 60 at present would be increased to Rs 120.

For deputy and additional superintendents who were getting Rs 70 as risk allowance, it would be increased to Rs 140.

Similarly, fire service personnel would receive Rs 120 as risk allowance instead of Rs 40 at present.

Announcing the constitution of the third Police Commission, Karunanidhi said retired IAS officer R Pooranalingam would be its president and Congress floor leader D Sudarsanam would be the deputy president.

Mobile police squads with the latest high tech gadgets would be formed to handle traffic congestion and law and order in Chennai, he said adding police quarters at a cost of Rs 135 crore would be constructed for 3,000 families.

He also announced additional buildings would be constructed at the DGP office complex here at a cost of Rs 22 crore.