More than 75% Ggn cops do not have govt accommodation

It is a well-known fact there has always been an acute shortage of facilities provided to the cops in Gurgaon. Even though the city is grappling with shortage of police officers compared to the strength needed, the government is struggling to provide basic amenities to the existing strength.

An RTI reveals that around 3,000 police officers in Gurgaon have not been provided with government accommodations that they are entitled to. It also revealed that currently only 907 houses have been provided by the Haryana Housing Board (HHB) for police personnel.

This proves that the department does not have enough residences for its staff including officials and junior cops. Therefore, more than 75 per cent of the district cops do not have any government accommodation.

According to the information received, most of these official residences are built in areas like Civil Lines and Sushant Lok in Gurgaon.

“They live in unhygienic conditions but are available round-the-clock for their duties. But when it comes to facilities, they live in small rooms inside the police stations and share common beds with colleagues,” said RTI activist Aseem Takyar.

This has also affected their performances in services as most of the officers are migrants and live in rented houses and have to travel way too much. However, despite the need for housing facilities, around 3,000 cops in Gurgaon have not been given a government accommodation due to lack of houses.

Police sources also revealed that most of the police officers do not get their families along, as there is a major crunch in the city. As a result, most of the cops, especially those posted in the police stations, live in the stations itself. Many who have been transferred to Gurgaon cannot bring their families here due to shortage of staff quarters.

“At present there is a huge problem for government accommodation for police officers. We have sent many applications to the housing provincial branch regarding this but haven’t received any reply from them. These housing schemes also depend on whether the police personnel are living alone or with family. Even though there is a major housing crunch for officers with families in the town, the ones without their families live within the police stations only,” said Hawa Singh, ACP Crime, Gurgaon.

As a result, the police department requires at least 750 more houses, reveals the RTI. The department has written to Police Housing Corporation in Gurgaon for 452 more houses.