On September 10, Home Minister Priyank Kharge met officials from the Karnataka Police’s communications, logistics, and modernisation wing, and representatives of more than 20 automobile and two-wheeler manufacturers, including companies producing electric and conventional vehicles.
They discussed an alternative to the existing practice of purchasing vehicles outright.
Mr. Kharge said a rental or lease model could enable the department to use its available resources more efficiently while responding quickly to changing operational requirements.
“The government’s objective is not merely to purchase vehicles, but to use public money judiciously and improve the efficiency of the police department. Instead of making a large capital expenditure at one go, we will examine other options for adding vehicles quickly as per the department’s requirements, and managing their use and maintenance more efficiently,” Mr. Kharge said.
Under the proposed model, the police could potentially increase its fleet according to operational needs, and deploy vehicles for law and order duties, patrolling, emergency response, and investigations.
The meeting also discussed the use of electric vehicles and other vehicle categories for police duties.
Officials and industry representatives are expected to examine various factors, including the nature of usage, operational duration, maintenance and repair, availability of replacement vehicles, service costs, and the tenure of contracts before a decision is taken.
“Modern policing requires more than human resources. Mobility, technology, and infrastructure are equally important. The police department needs to be better equipped to deal with rapidly changing social and law-and-order challenges,” Mr. Kharge said.
He said the government would assess the financial and operational feasibility of the rental model before taking any further decision.
The model, if adopted, would have to ensure optimum utilisation of public funds, and remain financially and administratively viable for the government in the long term.
The government is also working towards making the police department more mobile, technology-driven, modern and citizen-friendly, the Minister said.