Lok Sabha Question No. 1516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-20
Subject: Increasing Participation of Women in Police
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Darshana Vikram Jardosh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1516

TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  THE  20 TH   SEPTEMBER,  2020/  BHADRAPADA 29, 1942 (SAKA)

INCREASING PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN POLICE

†1516. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken so far/likely to be taken by his Ministry in coordination with the State Governments to increase the participation of  women  in  police,  to  make  a  provision  of  separate  restrooms  for women  police  in  the  police  stations  and  to  exempt  them  from  field duty for one year in case of delivery, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that women police personnel and their  children  have  to  face  lots  of  problems  if  given  field  duty immediately after the delivery period; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  impart  training  to  women police and to set up a Special Women Police Training Center and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): 'Police' is a State subject falling in List-II (State List) of the Seventh  Schedule  of  the  Constitution  of  India.  It  is  primarily  the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations to implement appropriate measures for women in the police force.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.1516 FOR 20.09.2020

However,  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  issued  advisories  on  22.04.2013, 21.05.2014, 12.05.2015 and 21.06.2019 to all the State Governments to increase  the  representation  of  women  police  to  33%  of  the  total strength,  ensure  gender  sensitization  in  police,  make  provision  of basic  infrastructure  amenities  for  women  police  including  suitable toilet  facilities,  separate  hand  washing  and  shower  facilities  with adequate supply of water and if it is not possible to provide access to permanent  toilets,  securely  installed  portable  toilets  with  lockable doors, lighting and ventilation.

Further, under the scheme of 'Assistance to States for Modernisation of Police' construction, including construction of separate restrooms for  women  police  was  allowed  to  all  the  States  till  2014-15.  Since 2015-16  after  the  recommendations  of  the  14 th   Finance  Commission were  implemented,  the  share  of  the  States  in  the  union  taxes  was substantially enhanced from 32% to 42% to enable the States to utilise these  funds  for  various  purposes including  modernisation  of  Police Forces.    As  per  the  scheme  approved  by  the  Government  during  the year  2017-18,  construction  including  separate  restrooms  for  women police  is  allowed  only  in  case  of  specific  theatres  viz.    Jammu  & Kashmir (till 2019-20), insurgency affected North East (NE) States and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts.

The Centre also issues advisories to the States to strengthen welfare measures for women police personnel and ensure their safety and a conducive  work  environment.    Women  police  personnel  can  avail benefit of maternity leave as per the provisions defined by the State Government to avoid any hardships for them and their children after the  delivery  period.  Police  Forces  of  the  States  work  within  the existing legal & institutional framework in the matter.

(c): The training institutions under MHA like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, North Eastern Police Academy and Bureau of Police Research & Development conducts various training courses, seminars, workshops  which  are equally open to women  police officials.  As  'Police'  is  a  State  subject  training  of  women  police officials is the responsibility of respective State governments.

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