RTI REVEALS WOMEN CONSTITUTE ONLY 3.42 PERCENT IN JK POLICE

Women constitute only 3.42 pc in JKP

Discrimination with women: RTI activist

KT NEWS SERVICE

JAMMU, Sep 6: Women in Jammu and Kashmir constitute only 3.42 percent of total strength of the State police  despite rising graph of crime against and involving women. However, as compared to national level representation of females (5.33 percent) in the Police department, the record of the state police is quite apathetic. In reply to an RTI application of RTI activist Raman Sharma, the police Headquarter revealed that during last ten  year only 973 females were included in Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) whereas the total number of appointments was more than 27,832.  In his RTI plea dated July 18, Raman had asked the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the police department to divulge information related to representation of women on different posts of the police department. Uttam Chand, IPS (AIG CIV), Public Information Officer for the Police Headquarters’ vide in his letter no. PHQ/RTI/113/2013/805 dated August 20 informed the applicant that total strength of the J&K Police as on date is 73363 and the number of female police personnel is 2512. There are only 36 female police personnel presently serving on gazetted posts (Deputy SP and above), 154 on Non-Gazetted Posts (ASI to Inspector).  Out of 2512 total strength of female cops, 2066 are enrolled as constabulary (Constable to Head Constable)  and 256 ladies are on class 4th posts, 48 other female police personnel serving on other posts like clerk/nurse/teacher and others. The reply also states that even in the temporary posts the women are not given any preference and out  of total 24730 Special Police officers (SPOs) working in the state police the percentage of female cops is just 829 which is also less than 4 percent of the total temporary staff in the department. Commenting on the reply, Raman said, “It is unfortunate that though the crime against women is increasing day by day but here in our state we are not giving them due representation in the police services which is nothing short of injustice to half of the population.” Referring to other states of the country, Raman said Maharashtra has almost 15 percent women cops, Chandigarh 13.48 percent, Tamil Nadu 10.57 percent and Delhi 7.13 percent policewomen then why Jammu and Kashmir was  ignoring them despite the fact that even the literacy rate amongst state women was over 58 percent. He demanded special recruitment drive in police department for women to bridge the gap between male and females. KASHMIR TIMES: 07/09/2013 http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=22371 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3.42% women in J&K Police against 5.33% at the national level Tribune News Service Jammu, September 8 Only 973 women were recruited on various posts in the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the last 10 years. The state police has a total strength of over 73,000 personnel. This was revealed  by the Police Headquarters, J&K, in response to an application filed by a Jammu-based activist,  Raman Sharma, under the J&K Right to Information Act, 2009. Surprisingly, women constitute only 3.42 per cent of the total strength of the state police despite crime against women having shown an upward trend in the state. At the national level, the representation of women in the Police Department is 5.33 per cent. “The total number of police personnel, both men and women, recruited in the J&K Police on   different posts during the last 10 years (from January 1, 2003, to August 11, 2013) except  Special Police Officers (SPOs) was 27,832 comprising 973 women,” Uttam Chand, public information officer, Police Headquarters, J&K, Srinagar, said in a reply. The activist had sought details from the Police Department regarding representation of women on different posts in the Police Department. “The total number of women police personnel serving in the J&K Police is 2,512, including 36 gazetted officers (from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and above), 154 on non-gazetted posts (Assistant Sub-Inspector to Inspector),” the public information officer said. Of the total number of women police personnel, 2,066 were serving in constabulary viz  constable and head constable, while 256 women were on the Class IV category posts, he said, adding that only 48 women police personnel were serving on posts such as clerk,  nurse, teachers and others. The reply also stated that even in temporary posts, the women were not given any preference. Of the total 24,730 SPOs working in the police, the number of women was 829. Reacting to the Police Department’s response, the activist alleged it was clear discrimination against women vis-à-vis appointment in police services. “It is unfortunate that though the crime against women is increasing day by day, the Jammu  and Kashmir Government is not giving due representation to women in police services,” Sharma said. He claimed there were almost 15 per cent women police personnel in Maharashtra while the Chandigarh police had 13.48 per cent women police personnel. “Similarly, Tamil Nadu has  10.57 per cent and Delhi has 7.13 per cent. There is need for a special recruitment drive in the Police Department for women to bridge the gap between men and women,”  the activist said. TRIBUNE INDIA http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130909/j&k.htm#7