'No proposal to bring Delhi police under govt'

There is no proposal to bring the Delhi police under the Delhi government, the Centre said on Tuesday amid demands raised by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit that certain aspects of policing in the capital should be handed over to the city administration.

This was disclosed by Minister of State for Home Affairs Mullappally Ramachandran in a written reply in Lok Sabha. He said the police is actively taking steps for improving law and order in the capital.

"It has augmented its manpower and other resources, the Delhi police has always been sensitive and alert to the law and order situation and has always responded with great alacrity in times of crisis," he said.

Dikshit had been demanding that traffic and certain aspects of policing like law and order be handed over to the control of city government. Currently, the Delhi police come directly under the control of the Union home ministry.

Earlier this month, Dikshit had sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to ensure better policing in Delhi. She had complained that the Delhi police has not been able to improve safety of women despite massive public outrage in the aftermath of the December 16 gang rape incident.