Odisha's Chief Minister Unveils Plan to Fill 12,000 Police Vacancies Amid Rising Cybercrime

Major Announcement from Odisha's Chief Minister

Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi revealed plans to recruit over 12,000 personnel for the police force. This announcement followed his return from New Delhi, where he engaged with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and participated in a two-day investors’ conference. During his meeting with Shah, they discussed the rollout of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) in Odisha. Majhi highlighted the increasing incidents of cybercrime, stating that the state intends to establish 20 cyber police stations and appoint Crime Scene Officers at each police station. He noted that Shah assured the state government of necessary support for upholding law and order and enhancing the justice system.

Majhi emphasized, "The state government is committed to filling the 12,000 vacancies in the Home department soon, which will bolster law enforcement in the region."

The breakdown of the vacancies includes 3,003 positions in the Odisha Special Striking Force (OSSF), 3,000 in the Odisha Industrial Security Force (OISF), 2,000 traffic officers, 5,000 home guards, 267 in the Directorate of Public Prosecution, and 254 in the State Forensic Science Department. This announcement comes in the wake of ongoing protests from the Opposition Congress, which claims that the law and order situation has deteriorated, particularly regarding crimes against women since the BJP took office in the state last June.

At the investors’ conference hosted by Majhi in New Delhi, the state government finalized 13 agreements and received 15 investment proposals totaling Rs 1.03 lakh crore, which could generate employment for over 95,000 individuals.