Staff shortage hits BMTFs functioning

The Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) is facing an acute shortage of staff which is resulting in piling up of unsolved, registered cases, BMTF Additional Director General Police R P Sharma said on Saturday.

According to Sharma, BMTF has a team comprising four Sub-Inspectors (SIs), one Inspector and one Superintendent of Police (SP) at present. In the past one year, they have registered 154 cases, but have been able to file charge-sheets in 17 cases. “BMTF is not able to tackle these cases due to shortage of staff. There are 18 cases related to land encroachment of which, we could file only one charge-sheet and another is being prepared,” he added.

To handle the number of cases it gets, the agency needs at least three Superintendents of Police, six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs), 12 Inspectors and 24 SIs. “BMTF unlike before, works 24 hours a day. To come under law and order, we need security staff which was not  sanctioned at all. We need one reserve Sub-Inspector, one Head Constable and eight Constables,” he said.

He added, “We have requested the government, but it has not been done so far. Our officials are visiting the offices concerned twice a week.”

Speaking to reporters on Saturday regarding BMTF online complaint registry system , Sharma said that the system which was launched last week has received 71 complaints so far. “Many people have requested us to make it in Kannada too. We will include the options in Kannada in next three days,” he assured.

“Citizens have lodged complaints, against BBMP officials for not disposing of the garbage piled up at Chikkabanasawadi Main Road and Jakkasandra Road. They have stressed that this could lead to infection and hence, increase the chances of diseases like dengue. This comes under public nuisance and BMTF can take action and we shall prosecute according to the law,” he said.

BBMP Commissioner M K Shankaralinge Gowda,  said according to the job chart given to BMTF, it is their primary duty to protect government properties.  “I don’t see anything wrong if BMTF is taking action in garbage disposal,” he said.