DGP seeks funds to build restrooms for cops

THERE IS A DEARTH OF TOILETS FOR WOMEN PERSONNEL EVEN AT THE POLICE TRAINING INSTITUTES, LEADING TO TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS

JAIPUR: The director general of police has written to the home department seeking more funds to set up enough restrooms for the growing number of women personnel in the force.

In a letter to additional chief secretary (Home) Rajeeva Swarup, DGP Bhupendra Singh has said that there has been an i ncrease i n t he number of women employees and officials over the last 10 years in various posts such as constable, sub-inspector (SI) and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) but not enough toilets to meet their needs.

The women employees have to face various problems in such situations, which they have been raising constantly to senior officials but could not be completely resolved till date. “The Supreme Court, the National Women’s Commission and the state government all have made provisions for toilets and changing rooms for women mandatory as per rules, but despite this, adequate arrangements could not be made,” said Singh.

According to him there is a dearth of toilets for women personnel even at the police training institutes, following which temporary arrangements have to be made while training is given. “It is necessary to construct adequate number of toilets at work place in compliance to the orders and directions issued by various courts, commissions, state and central government, ” he said.

He said as per the information collected from officers, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) and training institutes, there is a requirement of 2805 toilets in total –constructing each toilet will be cost around ~2.50 lakh each taking the overall cost to around ~70.12 crore. As per the current situation, the requirement is that of at least one separate toilet for women personnel, officers and a complainant.

The women personnel require toilet facility at the training grounds during intense training sessions. “At least 10 separate toilets should be constructed at every police line,” said the DGP.

Similarly there is an urgent requirement of five separate toilets for personnel deployed with RAC and other women battalions; and minimum 15 at training institutes.

Of 926 offices comprising police stations, reserve police line, the RAC headquarter and training institutes, there is a requirement of 680 toilets in addition to the current number of 782. According to the Rajasthan Police Housing and Construction Corporation Limited, a construction of toilet requires ~ 2.50 lakh and for 680 toilets it will amount to ~17 crore.

“In view the circumstances, a financial sanction of ~7 crore should be made for the construction of the toilets so that women can have access to basic facilities at workplace,” he said.