33% Cops in Delhi, Union Territories to be women: Government

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has cleared 33 per cent reservation for woman in the lower levels of police units of the seven Union Territories (UTs), including Delhi. It will remain a far-off proposition in most states and central armed police forces.

Delhi Police has nearly 8,000 women in its ranks, compared to the total strength of 80,000 personnel. The 10 per cent representation is among the best in the country. The Cabinet decision says 33 per cent reservation for women will apply to direct recruitments in non-gazetted posts from constables to sub-inspector in the police forces of all UTs.
“A society or a nation can progress rapidly in an equitable manner only if women are provided equal opportunities to participate in social, political and economic activities. The police is the first line of interface between citizens and law enforcement machinery. Many women do not approach the police, as they may have to confide or report the incident to a male police officer. This is particularly so in respect of sex related crimes,” a Union Cabinet statement said.

The Centre’s decision can’t impact states as law and order is a state issue.

Furthermore, there are only 17,000-odd women in the nearly nine-lakh strong Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), translating into a representation of less than 2 per cent. The Home Ministry told a parliamentary standing committee that this percentage could not be boosted given the “hazardous and risky” areas CAPFs such as CRPF and BSF are deployed – Jammu and Kashmir, zones where Maoist insurgents operate and the northeast.

A home ministry official said that the Centre is advising all states to increase women representation and said some states like Gujarat had committed to increase women cops percentage to 33 per cent.