Cuttack: Shortage of executive staff has come as a hindrance in developing model police stations in districts across the state.

The matter came to light during director general of police R.P. Sharma's interactive session with district police superintendents and range officers through a videoconference on Monday.

Sharma was reviewing the progress of the decision taken during the last senior police officers' conference held in March this year that one police station in each district was to be developed as a model police station to cater to the needs of the people in a time-bound manner.

A source who was present at the review meet said on condition of anonymity that most of the police superintendents had conveyed to the top cop that they could not make model police stations functional due to staff crunch despite coming up with all infrastructure requirement for the purpose.

Most of the police superintendents reportedly said that they were not in a position to provide the required number of staff to the model police stations as the districts were already suffering from shortage of executive staff.

The source also said that Sharma assured the police superintendents of all required support while asking them to start the model police station in their respective districts as early as possible.

For proper functioning of the model police stations, Sharma stressed on doorstep delivery of certain police services, mandatory registration of senior citizens staying alone, regular interaction with members of the civil society in the respective localities, strengthening of the Ama Police system, special units to deal with women's security in vulnerable areas such as schools, colleges, working women's hostels and emphasis on time-bound investigation of cases.

The special features of the model police stations include upgraded infrastructure, beautified police station campus, CCTV camera surveillance, provision of reception centre and mahila o sishu desk (special desk for women and children), a modern gymnasium, conference hall, skilled manpower, high rate of conviction in various cases, people-friendly approach, effective crime control and expeditious investigation.