Karnataka CM DK Shivakumar Meets Amit Shah In New Delhi

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday and sought the Centre’s support for several initiatives aimed at strengthening the state’s security and law enforcement framework.

The Chief Minister submitted a detailed memorandum requesting assistance for police modernisation, prison upgrades, advanced surveillance systems, police training infrastructure and the establishment of additional India Reserve Battalions (IRBs).

Shivakumar also urged the Union government to expedite approval for conferring the prestigious President’s Colour award on the Karnataka State Police.

The proposal, submitted on May 8, 2024, remains under consideration. He noted that the Karnataka Police has yet to receive the country’s highest honour for a police force.

The Chief Minister requested approval to establish two new IRBs in Vijayanagara and Ramanagara districts. The proposal carries an estimated cost of Rs 243.87 crore.

To enhance policing capabilities, Shivakumar sought early clearance of a Rs 280-crore proposal under the Assistance to States and Union Territories for Modernisation of Police (ASUMP) scheme. The proposal aims to strengthen police infrastructure and capabilities.

The project aims to establish Command and Control Centres and communication infrastructure in four major cities.

The Karnataka Chief Minister also requested the inclusion of police-related activities under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. The move would enable police departments to access Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding.

The memorandum further sought approval for a Rs 258.53-crore proposal. The plan aims to upgrade police training institutions in line with the Bureau of Police Research and Development guidelines.

Shivakumar requested the release of Rs 20 crore during 2025-26 for prison modernisation and security equipment procurement. He also pressed for approval of a Rs 278.26-crore proposal to upgrade CCTV surveillance systems across police stations.

Highlighting rising cybercrime threats, the Karnataka CM informed Shah about plans to establish the Karnataka Cyber Crime Control and Coordination Unit (K4C). He also sought Central support for the initiative, which is expected to cost Rs 360 crore.

The Chief Minister said these measures would significantly strengthen Karnataka’s policing, internal security and cybercrime prevention capabilities.

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