Reported by Chinmaya Dehury/ Edited by Swetaparna Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Aug 18

The state Cabinet, scheduled to meet tomorrow, is likely to give its nod to the Odisha Police Bill which will be tabled in the Assembly during the monsoon session.

The assembly session will begin from August 20.

The draft bill is ready but needs Cabinet approval before it is placed before the House.

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The proposed bill will replace the existing Police Act, originally framed by the Britishers about 152 years ago. The draft bill is based on the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, the Soli Sorabji Committee, the Police Commission and has factored in all relevant directions of the Supreme Court.

The bill also provides for a certain degree of autonomy to the police in its functioning while incorporating certain provisions aimed at changing people’s perception of the police force. The whole exercise is to make the police people-friendly while keeping in tact the inherent authority of the police. The police will also be made more accountable under the new system.

The proposed model act also envisages the formation of a State Complaint Authority and State Security Commission.

According to sources, the bill provides for fixed tenure of the Director General of Police and other senior officials down to the district level.

The tenure of the DG Police would be restricted to two years.