Mumbai:
Khaki does not seem to be the favourite colour of Mumbai's women. Despite a 30 per cent reservation in the city's police force, only 8 per cent are filled.
This is due to a variety of reasons, ranging from odd duty hours, hectic work schedule, fear of not getting married, etc.
Confirming the numbers, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Chandra Iyengar said, "The Women and Child Department is also trying to ensure that more and more women even from rural Maharashtra are encouraged to join the force." She added that Home Minister R R Patil had instructed senior policemen to recruit more women in the recent police recruitment drive.
She clarified that though there is a reservation in selection, rules are not relaxed for selection, in terms of qualification and physical fitness.
Bajirao Jadhav, state women and child welfare department commissioner, pointed out that lack of awareness among women especially in rural areas was one of the major concerns.
"We have issued letters a fortnight ago to all Police Commissioners and Superintendent of Police in the state to recruit more women in the force. Also, special sessions will be conducted in colleges to encourage women to appear for competitive examinations for government jobs," he said.
Inspector General of Police (State CID) Meeran Borwankar said, "There have been instances where a girl wants to join the police force, but her parents do not permit. Also people at large still have notions that the force is male dominated and women cannot work in odd hours and cannot balance their work and family life."
Additional Director General of Police (Establishment) Ahmed Javed, "We need to adopt a more proactive and aggressive approach to reach out to women to ensure that more and more girls get into the force. There is really a need for women to be in the force and hence the importance of achieving the 30 per cent reservation."