Wardha will be getting combined training headquarters for State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) groups based in Vidarbha region. Maharashtra Government zeroed in on Wardha owing to its central location in the region to ensure continuous training of newly inducted constables, Head Constables and officers in SRPF group in the region. As of now, about six SRPF groups are based out of Vidarbha region and currently all training programmes for them are held at SRPF Nanvij-Daund centre. Given the long distance involved in reaching Nanvij for continuous training programmes, SRPF bosses were contemplating bifurcating the process for faster deployment of new recruits in the force. The idea is to reduce the burden at present lone training centre in Pune district and ensure timely induction of SRPF groups post completion of updation programmes.

 

Therefore, they submitted the proposal to office of Director General of Police, Maharashtra, and they in turn forwarded the same to Home Department, Maharashtra Government, which has given nod for the same. As per preliminary report, the Home Department has estimated an recurring expenditure of Rs 26.24 crore which would basically be used towards salaries and other regular items and Rs 7.23 crore non-recurring expenditure, likely to be used for maintenance of the building and other utilities. Similarly, SRPF has sanctioned 446 posts for running the training centre, it would cover 53 posts in Group A, 18 in Group B, 221 in Group C plus 130 in Group D. Also the Home Department has stated that 24 posts can be filled through outsourcing.

 

It also sanctioned Rs 6.80 crore for 46 vehicles and Rs 32.80 for office supplies. As per information, SRPF’s Group 4 is located at Hingna in Nagpur; Group 9 is at Amravati, Group 13 is based at Wadsa in Gadchiroli; Group 15 (IRB-2) is based at Gondia; Group 17 is presently at Chandrapur while the newly established Group 18 (IRB-5) is located at Katol in Nagpur district. These six SRPF groups are under administrative jurisdiction of Special Inspector General of Police, Nagpur Range, who oversees their operations in Nagpur Range that oversee entire Vidarbha region. In all there are 20 SRPF groups based in different parts of the State.

 

A standard SRPF company has strength of 98 to 120 jawans and they are then sub-divided in platoons, about 4 for each of the company while one group has manpower of around 800 to 1,000 officers. SRPF groups are deployed in anti-Naxal operations and they assist the State police during special needs in case of any major law and order situation. Each of the SRPF group functions independently and it comprises 10 active service companies. The SRPF companies periodically undergo training in tactical readiness, physical endurance, and specialised emergency response, to ensure they are ready for tackling situations for which they are likely to be deployed in near future. Over the years, the SRPF had played a crucial role along side the CRPF battalions in wiping out the dominant Naxal hotspots in Gadchiroli and earlier in part of Gondia district in Eastern Vidarbha region. As to new training centre, the site and other decision pertaining to sanction for release of funds to undertake construction of building and barracks would be issued later, said a notification by Home Department.