Bengaluru (PTI): Cautioning that "destructive forces" have crept into all fields in society, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said his government would strengthen the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), and increase the number of prisons in the state.

The state government proposes to undertake more reforms in the police department, he said, as he also highlighted the need for equipping police personnel with sophisticated weapons.

Bommai was speaking after paying tributes on Police Martyrs' Day here, during which he recalled Karnataka police's rich history and the services of the personnel who died on duty.

"The population is increasing in the society and both national and international destructive forces are trying to disturb peace in the society," the Chief Minister said.

Bommai also said the government proposes to undertake more reforms in the police department by having a police museum, strengthening ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad), and increasing the number of jails, among others.

He said, laws are framed to check any crime after it takes place, but there is a need to think about possible crimes well in advance and enact legislation accordingly.

Police personnel needed sophisticated weapons, he further said, adding that "if senior police officers work efficiently, it will automatically make lower-rung officers to follow their bosses."

Noting that Karnataka is ahead in providing facilities to the police compared to other states, the Chief Minister said the recruitment rate is high with the appointment of 4,000-5,000 police personnel every year.

"The confidence of the police must rise and the appointment must take place without corruption, which is being followed by the incumbent government. Also, new technology and tackling cyber crime should be part of police training," he said.

Pointing out that the construction of police stations has increased in the last one year, Bommai said, in the next one year, all police stations in the state must have their own buildings.

Police inspectors and deputy superintendents of police require training for which a separate command would be created, he said.

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Bengaluru, Jan 9: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said the ineligible BPL ration card holders who do not meet the criteria set by the central government should be identified and removed in a phased manner.

He, however, told the officials during a review meeting of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department that the card of a single eligible BPL cardholder should not be cancelled.

Ineligible BPL ration cardholders should be given time to voluntarily return their BPL cards, after which action should be taken to cancel the cards by giving notice to them, the Chief Minister was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office.

Nearly 4,000 government employees have already been removed from the list, the statement said.

It said that there are 1,53,69,945 ration cards in the state, with 5,30,88,636 member beneficiaries.

It further said that Rs 4,692 crore grant has been released under the Annabhagya scheme direct cash transfer, and Rs 3,253 crore has been spent till the end of October. Over, 4.44 crore beneficiaries are benefiting from the scheme, which is one of the five pre-poll guarantees of the Congress government.

Siddaramaiah also reviewed the status of petrol pumps in the state.

The Chief Minister’s office said there are a total of 4,518 petrol pumps in the state, and 503 petrol stations have been inspected till the end of December.

Siddaramaiah directed the officials that the inspection of petrol pumps should be increased and irregularities like fraud in measurement and quality should be completely curbed.

The CM also asked the officials to make arrangements to procure food grains at the minimum support price and steps should be taken to complete all the processes quickly so that farmers do not face any problems.

Under the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, 13,383 beneficiaries from other states are getting ration facilities in Karnataka.

Under the Anna-Suvidha Yojana, food grains are provided at the doorstep of single-person households above 80 years of age and 8,500 ration card holders are benefiting under the scheme, the statement said.

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