Home Minister inaugurates newly constructed police quarters in Suntikoppa

Home Minister G. Parameshwara inaugurated the newly constructed police residential quarters at Suntikoppa in Kodagu district on Sunday.

The 12 residential quarters for police constables have been built at a cost of ₹ 3.64 crore by the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSPH&IDC).

Speaking after inaugurating the housing facility, the Minister said that around 40,000 residential quarters have already been constructed for police personnel across the state, while another 60,000 houses are still required.

Pointing out that the salaries of constables, who serve at the lowest ranks in the police department, had been increased, Mr. Parameshwara said the Government is providing improved housing facilities after taking note of the fact that many police personnel live in cramped houses.

Accordingly, the KSPH & IDC will provide housing in a phased manner up to the year 2030, he said.

Earlier, buildings were constructed at a cost of about ₹ 18 lakh per unit, but now the cost has increased to around ₹ 33 lakh. The government’s aim is to ensure that police personnel lead a comfortable and dignified life, he added.

The Minister assured to look into the list of demands made by MLA Mantar Gowda and priority given to construction of housing facilities for police personnel, while necessary steps will also be taken to establish police stations as per the Government’s parameters.

He said various measures have been introduced to make the police department more people-friendly, urging police personnel to maintain friendly relations with the public while ensuring strict punishment for offenders.

He further noted that Karnataka Police ranks first in the country in terms of safety and security, and police personnel perform their duties day and night, in rain and heat, often without rest. Therefore, they should be respected, and no one should attempt to demoralise them.

The Home Minister said that out of the 593 assurances given by the Siddaramaiah-led government in 2023, more than half have already been fulfilled, and all promises would be implemented within the next two years.

He added that the government has spent ₹1.36 lakh crore on the five guarantee schemes, aiming to bring poorer sections into the mainstream through various welfare programmes.

He stated that the government is people-oriented and functioning as promised, and added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would present a strong budget on March 6.

MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, speaking on the occasion, requested the Minister to fill vacant police posts, construct additional police quarters, and provide for the establishment of two more police stations in Kodagu district in the upcoming budget.

He also suggested utilising available land in the district for setting up a police training center.

Among those present were Southern Range Inspector General of Police Boralinagaiah, Deputy Commissioner S. J. Somashekar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Anand Prakash Meena, and Superintendent of Police R. N. Bindumani.