Karnataka’s emergency shutdown fund has doubled after a decade

This move is aimed at dealing with the rising cost of essential items such as food and other needs of suspects detained in police stations. | Photo Credit: file photo

The state government has increased the call-off emergency fund given to the station in charge after ten years, from R75 to R150 per inmate. The move is aimed at addressing the rising costs of essential items, such as food and other necessities, for suspects detained in police stations and reducing the burden on the station officer.

The government increased the amount from R16 to R75 in 2014 based on the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission.

However, due to the sharp increase in the prices of essential items, a proposal was sent from the State Police headquarters with a request to increase the price to R300, as the current budget has burdened the station house officials.

“The sharp increase in inflation and the increase in the prices of basic commodities have put a lot of strain on the services provided to the prisoners. With this amendment, the government hopes to make sure that the basic needs of the arrested suspects are received properly, to prevent problems such as lack of food and malnutrition while they are incarcerated,” said the official.

Considering this request, the State government increased the allocation. State law enforcement and corrections officials applauded the decision, noting that the previous allocation had been insufficient. They also highlighted that the increase in the cost of essential goods such as food, hygiene items, etc., made it difficult to take care of the welfare of prisoners under the old funding.

Although many police officials have accepted this decision, they said that it gives them a break, and they also said that the revised amount is not enough for them to eat two square meters, and they continue to spend money from their pockets to get decent food. “Usually prisoners are kept for 24 hours, and we have to give them food, water and whatever they ask for. In this case, ₹150 may be too little. These days it is difficult to even get sandwiches with this money,” said the police officer.

“Because of the small fee and the tedious process of asking for GST bills, not many people choose to pay it. There are relatives of the defendants and ended up bearing the costs, which led to a different corruption,” said another police officer.