India may get 911-like agency
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New Delhi: The Centre is examining a proposal by the Andhra Pradesh government which has recommended setting up a national emergency response agency like 911 in United States or 999 in the UK, where the police are bound by law to reach the citizen within minutes of the call. The proposal submitted to the union home ministry has driven the attention of many within the government who feel that such a move will not only help ensure ‘’accountability’’ but also instil a sense of safety and security among women and weaker sections of the society.
The proposed central helpline should be backed up by the professional agencies, adequate funding and dedicated personnel for this work only, the state government has said.
While such a project will require the consent from states, it will also require massive logistical support and state-of-the-art infrastructure. As MHA official conceded that a central helpline will immediately connect the missing dots in the present system where different services from lodging police complaints, medical aid, accidents, fire, reporting of harassment of women are disconnected. “In the existing system, there is scope left for the state to deflect responsibility,” the official said.
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